Federation ensures it has key role in change programme with new appointment

7 March 2023

West Midlands Police Federation has appointed Jason Dooley as its full-time lead on the Force’s change programme.

Jason, a detective sergeant who has been a workplace rep for a year, will draw on his 27 years’ experience in the police as he liaises between the Federation and the Force as it seeks to improve the service it delivers.

He said: “The new Chief Constable has realised that the way we policed in 2010 and 2012 has changed completely and that lots of issues need addressing. He accepts that change has got to happen.

“The costs of implementing these changes is an issue because the money the police service gets from the Government is less and less each year so he is trying to make it more streamlined but better for the public, victims and offenders.”

Jason joined the police in July 1995 and has held a wide range of roles on response, operational support unit and drugs and traffic. Until recently he was a detective sergeant at VVA, West Bromwich.

The experience and knowledge he has picked up over almost three decades with the Force will be invaluable as the change programme is implemented.

“In this new role I can go to the meetings and give an insight into what things can be done and what things can’t be done,” he said.

“There were big changes in 2010 and then again in 2012 when cuts were made. The Police Federation at the time said ‘cuts have consequences’ but we were ignored and we have reached the situation we are now in.

“Craig Guildford has come in as Chief Constable with new ideas and the Force is quite receptive to change because it knows we are not delivering a good service at the minute.

“I totally agreed with Mr Guildford when he said we were very good at big things like the Commonwealth Games and major incidents but not so good at the little things where a resident might complain about anti-social behaviour in their street.

“I think neighbourhood policing is coming back to the forefront because it’s what is needed and what has been needed for years and that is the sort of change we are driving.”

Branch chair Rich Cooke said: “The change programme is the biggest project in years and input and support from the Police Federation is crucial.

“It is essential that we have someone working full-time on the change programme to help ensure it is delivered in the way the new Chief Constable would want.

“And make no mistake, there are some big challenges ahead. 

“The pace of change is a worry and there are serious infrastructure issues - the Police Uplift Programme has addressed the officer side of the 25 per cent cuts to policing but there has been no investment in buildings, support structure or back office operations.”