Jess becomes branch’s first female chair

13 May 2025

The first female chair of West Midland Police Federation has vowed to ensure the branch truly reflects the strength and diversity of the officers it serves.

Jess Davies, who until appointed as chair on Friday was the branch’s acting deputy chair, says that having only recently stepped away from frontline policing she fully appreciates the need for a strong, representative and supportive Federation.

“I am incredibly proud to have been elected as the branch chair,” says Jess, “It is an honour to be able to represent colleagues, to provide them with a voice and to be able to offer them support. The fact that I have made history in becoming the first female chair of our Federation branch just makes it that little more special.

“Having originally volunteered to temporarily become acting deputy chair for just two days a week alongside my policing role late last year, it quickly became necessary for me to work in the Federation office full-time.

Steep learning curve

“It’s fair to say I have been on a very steep learning curve but, while at times it has been challenging, it has also been rewarding and I have already grown in the role. I have been given fantastic assistance by the other full-time officials who have been nothing but supportive and empowering.

“I want to continue to build on the branch’s powerful legacy of progress, inclusion and bold leadership and will lead with passion and purpose but also with a vision for a future where every voice is heard and valued.”

Jess had been a workplace Federation representative for four years when she first took on the acting deputy chair position and has represented numerous members.

New branch chair Jess Davies.

Since joining the full-time office team, Jess has co-ordinated the 2025 West Midlands Police Federation Bravery Awards, attended meetings with a number of local MPs, undertaken regular meetings with the Force Executive Team and represented the branch at national Federation meetings.

She explains: “I have been networking around the Force and have started to build up strong partnerships with our staff associations and represented West Midlands Police Federation at various events including one to mark International Women’s Day event.”

Jess is currently leading the new nationwide Federation pay and conditions campaign “Copped Enough” and recognises that policing is in crisis due to the exodus of officers.

Workplace rep

“We need the Government to re-invest in policing, not just with short-term fixes but with long-term and sustained funding that will ensure police forces are properly resourced and police officers are paid fairly and truly valued,” says Jess.

“I was proactive as a workplace rep, and I will be proactive as a chair highlighting the issues officers are facing and bringing the Federation to the membership.

“Ultimately, I have only just stepped away from the frontline, I know what it’s like out there, I know what members are facing because, until very recently, I was there too. I also know what it’s like when the chips are down and officers truly need the Federation. This is why I became a workplace representative and this is why, as chair, I will put members at the heart of everything I do.”