Leicestershire Police Federation

“It’s wrong for the media to discredit the police service by using headlines like ‘failing’.”
#CutsHaveConsequences
Dave Stokes, Chair of Leicestershire Police Federation, reacts to HMIC report “Noticeable differences between police and the service they provide” which has led to headlines this morning such as “Failing police 'rumbled' by weary public” and “Crimes not reported' as public lose confidence in police”
... Dave said: “How to twist the real story. Police leaders and the police Federation have been transparent with the public, and have highlighted concerns pertaining to the consequences of public sector cutbacks.
“It’s wrong for the media to discredit the police service by using headlines like ‘failing’.
“Yes, police forces throughout the country have struggled with competing demands, but this is because of cutbacks, meaning reduced police officers and police staff.
“Certainly in my force, I believe we have a strong relationship with the public, because of engagement and partnership working.
“The public know why all public services have had difficulties since 2010. It’s not because public sector employees are any less committed, it’s really simple: there are is just a lot less off us.”
See the full HMICFRS report here https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/‚ Ķ/noticeable-diffe‚Ķ/
In the report, HMIC Matt Parr said the public had "rumbled" that the police do not have the capacity to deal with common crimes, such as burglaries or car crime, and have given up reporting incidents to police.
"I think particularly in the volume crime area the public has rumbled that the police capacity to deal with this is extremely limited."
Mr Parr added: "There are some strikingly low figures about car crime resolution, meaning most of the public simply give up reporting it because the chances of anything positive happening are so slim."
"The country is just short of investigators," he said. "There's lots of forces that haven't got enough detectives - therefore, very often, crimes aren't allocated to the right people to investigate."
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Police Care UK understand the impact the job can have on officers' emotional wellbeing and are there to support them. If you need to talk, you can call their welfare team for access to their Confidential Careline. To access the Confidential Careline, please call 0300 012 0030.

Leicestershire Police Federation is encouraging members to look out for each other when it comes to mental health.
The call comes as a newly launched PFEW campaign aims to ensure mental health in policing is treated as seriously as physical health and safety.
The national Federation wants to enable officers to see the signs of poor mental health in themselves and their colleagues.
... Leicestershire Police Federation Wellbeing Lead Joe Lloyd said it’s vital all officers feel empowered to come forward and share their concerns.
“Any member of our organisation who’s feeling low or down needs to feel able to speak to someone,” he said.
“It’s about working as a part of a team and recognising when a member of that team might be presenting themselves in a different way than they usually would, or indicating that things are not 100% right with them.
“It’s about working out how best to approach that person and find out if they might need to talk.”
A more distant, ‘siloed’ approach to policing where officers may not know other members of their teams, plus the pressures piled on officers from their jobs and family lives, all have an impact, Joe said.
“Officers might not know the people they are working with as well as they used to, although we are getting back to a ‘one team’ ethos in Leicestershire.
“We’re trying hard as a Federation to get that ethos back, which will help teams identify colleagues who may need some help.”
Officers need to look after themselves too.
“There is some personal responsibility when it comes to mental health,” Joe said.
“If something is going on, if you’re struggling, then it’s important to say ‘I’m not 100% right,’ and seek some help.”
Federation membership provides officers with counselling services through the force, while mental health first aiders are on hand to help those who need it.
Joe wants to see officers come forward and talk about any issues they have, while keeping an eye on their colleagues too.
“A problem shared isn’t necessarily solved, but it’s certainly halved,” he said.
“There is support around incidents and misconduct, where Reps can help, and supervisors have an important role to play in spotting issues with others. I’m accessible too. There are people who can help and signpost.
“Officers can feel confident they will be listened to, especially if it’s something we, as a Federation, can help with.
“Personal resilience is a big thing – we need to have the things in place to help our officers bounce back.
“That could be as simple as having a chat with like-minded colleagues, and it’s important we keep our humour.
“Officers old and new are realising they can’t compartmentalise how they feel, otherwise it just gets bottled up.”
#TimeToTalk
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The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has welcomed the launch of a consultation on pre-charge bail with a focus on ensuring that the police are properly supported to investigate crimes and victims are appropriately protected.
Today (5 February) the Home Secretary Priti Patel announced the move which represents a dramatic shift from the previous policy introduced by Theresa May in 2017.
Ms Patel she was “committed to giving a voice to victims and providing the po...lice with the support they need to protect the public from harm”.
Proposals for consultation include:
- removing the presumption against pre-charge bail; - placing a duty on officers to use pre-charge bail in cases where it is necessary and proportionate, including for cases where there are risks to victims, witnesses and the public; where it could prevent reoffending and where the offence in question has significant real or intended impacts; - allowing officers of a lower rank to authorise and extend pre-charge bail; - extending the initial period where pre-charge bail can be applied from 28 to either 60 or 90 days, as well as delaying the point at which magistrates’ approval for the extension of bail is required from 3 months to 6, 9 or 12 months; and - introducing ‘review points’ in codes of practice for investigations where pre-charge bail is not used, including where individuals are interviewed voluntarily or released under investigation.
Reacting to the news PFEW National Chair John Apter said: “The Police Federation, along with many others within policing, warned that the changes to the bail laws were not fit for purpose when they were introduced, and this review is a welcome step towards changing these laws to make them relevant and workable.
“My sincere hope, and challenge to the Government, is that this review leads to a real change in the bail system that supports police officers as they carry out investigations and, most importantly, puts the safety of victims at the forefront.
“It is vital that our members – the officers at the frontline who have the greatest experience of how these laws work in practice – are able to feed into the consultation, and their voices are heard. And I will be discussing this with the Home Secretary when we next meet,” said Mr Apter.
The government will also gather views from victims of crime and those individuals who have been released under investigation about how the current system can be improved, as well seeking views on the effectiveness of existing bail conditions.
Responding to the announcement the National Police Chiefs’ Council said that the 2017 changes had presented “fresh challenges” for the police service but it had “worked hard to implement the changes in the spirit they were introduced”.
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Brilliant from Vicky, daughter of our fallen colleague PC Bryan Moore.

Police Chiefs and DfT launch Roads Policing Survey to discover "the degree to which police officers and staff engage in roads policing activity"
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FOOT1/

Hero PC Andrew Harper – tragically killed on duty in August last year – has been given a prestigious posthumous honour by his colleagues at the Annual Police Federation Roads Policing Awards.
His widow Lissie – whom he had been married for just four weeks when he died – received a standing ovation as she took to the stage to receive the Award at the event on her husband’s behalf.
The bravery of the Thames Valley Police officer was recognised by the Police Federation of Engl...
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Tributes paid to loving husband, father and popular and respected Cumbria Police officer, PC Nick Dumphreys who died following a collision on the M6 yesterday.
The family of Police Constable Nick Dumphreys said: “Nick was a kind and loving husband and father. He was a larger than life character who loved his job and adored his children.
“His passing will leave an enormous hole in all our hearts.
... “We would like to thank everyone for their condolences, help and support over the last 24 hours but we would ask now for some time and privacy to come to terms with what has happened.”
Cumbria Constabulary’s Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “The sudden death of Police Constable Nick Dumphreys has left everyone within the Constabulary shocked and saddened.
“Nick was an extremely popular and respected officer, not least because of his professionalism, integrity and dedication to policing in Cumbria.
“Colleagues who worked closely with him would describe him as a consummate professional who you could always rely on. He was a big character with an even bigger heart who always put other people first.
“Our thoughts are particularly with his family today who are devastated at his loss, particularly his wife Kat and his young children.”
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Very sad news coming from Cumbria as the force confirms the death of an officer. Thoughts of all Leicestershire Police officers are with their family, friends and colleagues
Paul Williams, Chairman of Cumbria Police Federation, said: “All Cumbria Police officers are shocked and saddened to learn about the death of our colleague, who died in a single vehicle road traffic collision yesterday whilst on duty.‬
‪“The officer served on Cumbria’s Road Policing Unit and his sudden p...assing has caused deep shock and grief to the Policing family in Cumbria and across the UK.‬
‪“National Police Federation of England and Wales Chair John Apter - and Federation colleagues from across the country - have been in touch to pass on their deepest condolences at this sad time and offer Cumbria their support. It is appreciated. ‬
‪“Cumbria Police Federation will work closely with the specialist officers investigating this incident and we will ensure that we do all that we can to support the Officer’s family and close colleagues during this tragic time.”‬
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Crime is up 5% across England and Wales, new figures show
Robbery up 12%. Knife crime up 7%. Public order offences up 9%.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/…/crimeineng…/ yearendingseptember2019

Today (January 22) the Policing Minister announced details of the 2020/2021 Police Funding Settlement described by the Home Office as a £1.1bn boost to policing.
However, its calculations encompass funding commitments already announced including £750m to recruit the first wave of the 20,000 new police officers pledged; dedicated money allocated to fight organised crime, child abuse, serious violence and county lines drug dealing as well as the £90m the Home Secretary announce...d would be provided for Counter Terrorism Policing last week.
Reacting to the rise, PFEW National Chair John Apter said: “This is clearly a better financial settlement for policing than we have had in previous years and in real terms equates to a 6.4% increase on last year, which is a good thing.
“The government has listened and started to invest in policing but once again the buck has been passed to Police and Crime Commissioners and local tax payers. This is simply unfair, as we now have the public paying twice for the same service. It’s creating a two-tier system where wealthier communities have more money available for local policing than others,” said Mr Apter.
PFEW has previously warned about the unsustainability of the antiquated police funding system which fails to reflect policing in the 21st century with officers facing crimes that are more demanding, and more complex.
Mr Apter continued: “Boom-and-bust, short-term, one-year financial settlements do not work, and forces shouldn’t have to operate on a ‘hand-to-mouth’ basis. The Government has admitted the funding formula is outdated and must urgently address this.
“Over the last decade the police service has been hit hard by budget cuts and it needs more than a one-year cash injection to put things right. So, this increase is welcome, but it must be the start of long-term, genuine investment in policing.” he concluded.
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A quick-thinking police officer took a large kitchen knife from the coat pocket of a drunken customer who was tucking into a breakfast bagel in McDonald’s.
#GreatPoliceWork
https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/…/dr unk-mcdonalds-custom…

Visible police patrols of just four hours a week cut crime by a fifth, a Cambridge University study has found.
Just four 15-minute patrols a day in some of London’s most crime-ridden underground stations reduced reported crime and disorder by 21%. A ‘phantom effect’ deterred criminals even when officers weren’t there.
The researchers worked with the British Transport Police to identify the 115 London tube stations with the highest crime. For 57 of these stations, they sent ...four daily platform patrols – two officers on foot for quarter of an hour – four days a week, and compared the effect to the remaining, unpatrolled stations.
The reduction in crime continued even in the hours where the officers weren’t there – in fact a massive 97% of the drop in crime was during this time – which researchers called the "phantom effect".
The researchers said the experiment showed how effective short bursts of patrols could be, which will come as no surprise to police organisations that have long pushed for more police numbers and visibility on the streets.
Study co-author Prof Lawrence Sherman told the BBC: "This phantom effect suggests that crime declines when potential offenders are apprehensive about a possible police presence based on recent patrolling patterns – even when there are no police in the vicinity.
"In London stations, it may be that more professional kinds of offenders are particularly sensitive to changes in police presence, such as pickpockets and distraction thieves."
The researchers also found that, on the days when police were patrolling, crime in the rest of the station fell almost as much as crime on platforms.
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You can now register to attend this year's National Police Memorial Day (NPMD), which will be held at Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday 27 September.
Preferential hotel rates in Lincoln can also be accessed through the website.
The event is open to anyone who wishes to attend to show their respect for police officers who have been killed or have died on duty this year and in previous years.
... More here https://www.nationalpolicememorialday.org /
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Statement from Colleagues in West Yorkshire, following the news that a man has been arrested in Pakistan in connection with the murder of West Yorkshire PC Sharon Beshenivsky in 2005
https://www.facebook.com/…/a.7337961166 5…/2630992833605310/…

PFEW National Chair John Apter said on Sky News today that austerity measures had crippled policing, calling on the Government for a 10-year funding strategy.
“Until now, policing has been funded year on year,” he said. “It’s not long enough and certainly not enough money. We have a new prime minister who is far more supportive, in words, than the previous prime minister was. But they now have to deliver.
“We have the 20,000 ‘extra’ officers, which in reality takes us up to ...almost where we were 10 years ago… I believe strongly that we need more than 20,000 officers, but that will come, I’ve been told.
“We need a sustainable funding programme going forward so that Chief Constables and local Police and Crime Commissioners can fund policing adequately locally. And we need my colleagues, those dedicated men and women who are policing the streets 24/7, to be paid properly. Pay, pensions, everything has been decimated over the last 10 years.”
He continued: “The public want to see more officers on the street, responding to 999 calls. We’ve almost been prevented from doing [our job] by the austerity measures that have crippled policing, and the Government was warned about it.
“The new Government and new prime minister have started investing, including an extra £10 million of new money to provide Taser for my colleagues.”
John praised Home Secretary Priti Patel for recognising and apologising for the damage that’s been done to policing. “That’s something that we’ve not had before,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkp2zEwie os&feature=emb_logo
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Police officers are set to benefit from a simpler, ‘learning based’ complaints and disciplinary process.
New misconduct legislation comes into force next month aimed at ‘shaking up’ the current system. The Home Office says the procedure will be more proportionate and focus on allowing forces and officers to ‘learn from their mistakes’ while addressing concerns about the length of time cases can take.
Line Managers will be given more opportunities to improve individuals’ learn...ing and behaviours in lower-level conduct matters, while plans are in place to improve the ‘effectiveness’ of the IOPC.
The change has been rubber-stamped by the College of Policing, which says officers will benefit from the move away from the current ‘blame culture’.
Marcus Griffiths, Head of Ethics and Professional Standards at the College, said: “The new reforms will benefit policing and the public by ensuring complaints are handled in a reasonable, proportionate and timely manner.
“The process will be simplified with greater flexibility to resolve complaints to the public’s satisfaction, focusing on how the police can learn from these complaints and improve our service.
“Officers will benefit from a culture which is not seeking to blame and punish them, but which is more open, reflective of mistakes and focused on learning.
“The new reforms expand to include organisational learning so that police forces, as well as individuals, can learn from mistakes and improve public confidence in the service.”
Police and Crime Commissioners will have a greater role in order to increase independence and improve complaints handling at their forces.
An explanation should investigations take longer than 12 months will also be required under the new guidelines.
NPCC Complaints and Misconduct Lead Chief Constable Craig Guildford said the views of officers, the PFEW and the public had been taken on board ahead of drawing up the new regulations.
“We have listened very carefully to the views of officers, the public and everyone involved in the complaints process throughout this work,” he said.
“This package addresses the valid concerns over timeliness, accountability and proportionality and puts the focus on learning, reflection and fairness.”
“These reforms are aimed at all levels across the police service and have come together after work with the Home Office, Police Federation, the IOPC and the Superintendents Association. There will be greater involvement for local supervisors and a move away from punishment and blame for lower-level misconduct to a focus on learning and development.
“The huge majority of police officers serve the public to the highest standard. Society rightly expects the service to act with honesty and integrity and any instance of gross misconduct falling below that standard will continue to be dealt with robustly.”
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