John Apter has announced he will not seek a second term as the Police Federation’s national chair when elections take place next year.
John took up the role in August 2018 when he became the first national chair to be elected by Federation members but will not seek re-election when the vote takes place in April 2022.
Announcing his decision not to stand for re-election, he said: “This role is a privilege to hold and it truly is an honour to do what I do. However, I feel after a pretty eventful three and a half years for the Police Federation and for policing in general, and with almost 30 years’ service, it’s time for me to move on.
“I’ve been a Fed rep for as long as I can remember; I love what the Federation and our reps do and I couldn’t be more proud of the small part I have played.
“A lot has happened since I became national chair, both professionally and personally; it’s been relentless. In all that time, all I have ever done is my best, and I hope that in some small way I have helped make a positive difference.
“I will continue to do my very best until the new national chair takes up the position in April 2022 and I wish them well in this exciting and unique role. It’s truly something special.”
Staffordshire Police Federation chair Phil Jones paid tribute to John and the work he has carried out as national chair.
He said: “John Apter has been national Police Federation chair at one of the most challenging periods of times in British policing. We have had the pandemic, the pay row, soaring levels of assaults and abuse from the public and a growing recognition of how the pressures of the job are taking their toll on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of police officers.
“So it has been anything but an easy ride but John has always worked tirelessly on behalf of the Federation and its members and we would like to thank him for that and wish him well for the future.”
