In the second of three posts we look back on some of the key developments in policing during 2022.
April saw Steve Hartshorn take office as the new national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales. A Met Police officer since 1995, he had been the Federation spokesman for Taser and firearms. Staffordshire Police Federation chair Phil Jones reflected that: “Steve becomes national chair in a very turbulent time for policing. We will give him all the support he needs to ensure our voices are heard.”
Phil also joined calls for a posthumous award to be created for emergency service workers who die in the line of duty. It would be similar to the armed forces’ Elizabeth Cross. The campaign was also endorsed by Bryn Hughes, father of PC Nicola Hughes, who was murdered alongside her Greater Manchester Police colleague Fiona Bone in a gun and grenade attack by the fugitive Dale Cregan in September 2012.
In May, Staffordshire branch campaigned to make Protected Learning Time (PLT) accessible to every police officer. Branch chair Phil Jones said: “We feel very strongly that our members are given time during working hours to fulfil their training commitments and complete their assessments. This should not be in their own time or on rest days.”
The Federation’s annual conference took place in Manchester with World athletics champion Kriss Akabusi MBE kicking off proceedings with a motivational talk to officers. “Whether it’s road traffic collisions, reports of domestic violence, murders, robberies and rapes, you are there, getting people over that finish line,” said Kriss.
Home Secretary Priti Patel was shamed by conference delegate DC Vicky Knight, who described how she had resorted to using a foodbank and borrowing from her parents to support herself and her child. “I went to see an accountant, and the advice was, leave the police, work for 22 hours a week, and claim benefits,” said Vicky.
Branch secretary Glyn Pattinson voted against a motion to increase subscription fees for Federation members, saying it was “wrong” during a cost of living crisis. However, the motion passed with 221 delegates in favour versus 170 against.
In June, the Federation accused the force of deliberately ‘misleading and denying’ officers their entitlements to Time Off for Dependants (TOfD) and Parental Bereavement Leave. Glyn Pattinson said: “We are working with the Force to ensure that our policies are changed and are in full alignment with Police Regulations.”
The new head of HMICFRS said forces should consider offering bonus payments to detectives to help tackle a shortfall of 5,000 investigators nationally, a suggestion backed by the Police Federation National Detectives’ Forum (PFNDF).
And a team of Staffordshire officers took part in the Light the Lakes hill walking event, held every year in memory of Surrey DC Heather Cooper who was murdered in 2012. The branch’s Claire Bond completed the challenge alongside colleagues from the Force as the group scaled the 780m Kidsty Pike to raise funds for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity.
In July, Staffordshire Constabulary was placed into special measures by the Government, alongside Cleveland, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Wiltshire and the Met Police. Glyn Pattinson, for Staffordshire Police Federation, said it was “hugely disappointing” but not a huge shock as the Federation had been warning of the impact of cuts for years. Chief Constable Chris Noble insisted plans were progressing to address the most significant concern raised by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate.
Also, this month it was revealed that almost half of Staffordshire’s new police recruits were women. The Force was on target to grow to 1,950 officers by March 2023 (up from 1,567 in 2019) with women making up close to 50 per cent of the new intake.
PC Jonathan Vernon, who took part in the Queen’s Baton Relay ahead of the Commonwealth Games, described the role as a “once in a career opportunity”. He had to complete a variety of bleep tests, assessments and personal training sessions to be part of the baton guards. He said: “I’ve always been a keen runner, but this was gruelling.”
“I will miss policing, but I will be keeping an eye on how things unfold,” said Glyn Pattinson as he retired from the Force and his role as branch secretary. Glyn had been a Fed rep since 2010 and also chaired the Police Federation National Detectives’ Forum. He reflected on “enormous changes” in policing in his 30-year career, but added “I met some great people and, through my Federation role, supported officers through some incredibly challenging times.” Lee Robinson and Chris Rodger took over as the branch’s new chair and secretary and Claire Bond as treasurer.
An average five per cent pay increase offered in August was “not enough” according to the Federation’s national chair Steve Hartshorn. He said the flat increase of £1,900 across all ranks was “simply insufficient to cover the prevailing cost of living crisis, and the amount ultimately fails to address the real-terms pay cut that police officers have been facing for over a decade.”
Branch secretary Chris Rodger called for the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) to keep its independence and be allowed to operate without Government influence. “The whole police pay mechanism needs overhauling from top to bottom,” he said.
Retired detective chief inspector, Ash Farrington, took part in a Strictly Come Dancing-style event in memory of a colleague’s young daughter. Her chosen charity, The Magic of Milly, was set up by Staffordshire Sergeant Emma Hill in memory of her daughter who had died in 2015 from a rare congenital condition. Ash, who had never danced before, said: “Inspirational Milly, inspirational Emma, they are what made me get on that dance floor.”
Detective and mother-of-two Lisa Coxon, who is living with incurable cancer, said it was emotional seeing her extended police family push their limits during a sporting challenge held in her honour. Colleagues were raising money for Make 2nds Count.
September: As Liz Truss entered Downing Street as the nation’s new Prime Minister, she faced calls make police pay and conditions a priority of her government. A letter from the Federation also congratulated the new Home Secretary, Suella Braverman. Branch chair Lee Robinson said the new administration had an opportunity to reset relations with the police service.
The month also saw the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. Flags flew at half mast at the Federation’s headquarters and officers prepared for the massive policing event that was to be the state funeral in London.
Lee Robinson appealed to colleagues to complete the Federation’s latest pay and morale survey, saying the results would give the organisation the statistical evidence to campaign for fairer pay and conditions.
