Jason Dooley named new deputy chair of West Midlands Police Federation

13 June 2023

Jason Dooley has pledged to continue developing the fantastic work Sam Hughes started after being named the new deputy chair of West Midlands Police Federation.

Jase says his recent appointment has been accepted with a heavy heart, as he vows to keep Sam’s memory alive after the former deputy chair sadly died after battling breast cancer since 2017.

Jase, who joined West Midlands Police Force in 2017, says his passion is ‘helping members’, having ‘got the bug to do more for his colleagues’ after becoming a Federation Representative two years ago.

“What I really enjoy is helping people,” says 52-year-old Jase.

“This is certainly not the circumstances in which I wanted to take on this job. I’d worked closely with Sam since the day she started the job. Sam and I had a shared passion for prioritising the welfare of our members.

“I want to continue developing the fantastic work she started, especially around the welfare of our members.

“There are members who really need support, and I want to give them a voice, while also providing them with a shoulder to cry on, or a listening ear when they need it most. I want members to know we’re not there to judge them, we’re there to advise, listen and support them.

“I like to think I’m an approachable person, and hopefully I can work on bridging the gap between our members and the Fed’s board. It’s all about building that trust, not just within the Federation, but between us and the Force too.”

Jase, who will be stepping up from his current role as full-time lead on the Force’s ongoing change programme, added: “For me, this is an opportunity to carry on the work I’m doing with the change programme while developing my role as deputy.”

New deputy chair, Jason Dooley

Jase says one of his main priorities as deputy is supporting student officers, who are just in the infancy of their policing careers.

“I have a very keen interest in supporting student officers. I think it’s really important that they’re aware of how policing can and will change their lives, or know what they’re entitled to,” he added.

“I want to be a mentor to student officers, advising and supporting them, from day one of their training and especially during those first few years.”

Jase explained that he feels members need to be more aware of the ongoing support the Federation provides, not just when there are circumstances involving disciplinary action.

“I think we need to do more to showcase what we do,” he continued.

After all, sometimes, we can change things in just 15 minutes - by contacting the right people, providing efficient advice to our members, or by simply pointing them in the right direction.

“And it’s not just student officers, I want to support everyone - take newly promoted sergeants for example. Creating their portfolio can take over their lives - I’ve been there. We need to prioritise the wellbeing and mental health of all our officers, whatever stage of their career they’re at.”

READ MORE: A tribute to Sam Hughes