Compulsory severance decision is only a ‘stay of execution’

POLICE officers have only received a stay of execution over being made redundant, Essex Police Federation has warned.

Chief Constables are not seeking to introduce compulsory severance for police officers at this time.

Top cops from across the UK discussed the idea of “reluctantly” asking Home Secretary Theresa May to introduce the power to make police officers redundant during a discussion at Chief Constables’ Council.

But the idea was rejected – for now.

Mark Smith, Chairman of Essex Police Federation, said the force’s Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh had not yet made his thoughts clear on the issue.

He said: “As a whole I think the force hasn’t decided not to ask for it, it’s just on the back burner and we’ll wait to see what happens in December when we find out what the next round of cuts means.”

However, local federations now have the time to discuss the issue with chiefs, said Mr Smith, adding that he is meeting with his chief this month to talk about the realities of compulsory severance.

He said: “We do not believe compulsory severance is a good thing. We are not employees; we are servants of the crown. If you use compulsory severance – which is just another name for redundancy – that comes under employment law. We are not employees; we’re quite clear about that. We’re covered by regulations, not employment law.

“If it is taken forward, then it should be a larger issue and we should be looked at as being employees and given the rights of employees. And that doesn’t mean just the right to strike, that means everything covering employment rights.”

He added: “On top of that I still haven’t seen any reason why it needs to be brought in. There’s been no evidence offered up by Chief Constables.

“Voluntary severance is on the table and very few forces are actually using it. Is that because compulsory will be cheaper than offering voluntary severance?

“If that’s the only reason they want to bring it in, again that’s completely wrong. So I think there are bigger issues behind all of this.”