Essex Police Federation: The Full Time Representatives

WHO is Who in Essex Police Federation?

EssexFedFocus continues its weekly series, put together by chairman Mark Smith, outlining the make-up of the Federation, both locally and nationally.

We continue this week with the role of the full time representatives. Click here for more.

JBB Secretary

The JBB Secretary is responsible for the day to day running of the federation office. Each year the Secretary develops the strategy for the JBB and will continually review all processes and procedures of the JBB.

The secretary will hold representatives to account and is responsible for the service given to our members. The secretary will do this by encouraging members of the JBB to participate fully in discharging the responsibilities of the board.

The secretary will also make sure that all representatives are suitably trained for the role they are undertaking.

As with all the full time representatives in the office, the person holding this position will also deal with initial queries into all aspects of pay, allowances, hours of duty, annual leave, pensions, welfare, grievance advice and discipline issues by Federation members.

In Essex the Secretary is also the Treasurer and will take on the appropriate responsibilities. These include; maintaining an overview of the organisation’s financial affairs and ensuring the JBB’s continued financial viability. The treasurer also plans the budget for the financial year, produces the accounts and together with the trustees invests the organisation’s funds.

JBB Chairman

The JBB Chairman is responsible for the day to day communication with Essex Chief Officers and the Essex federation members.

The Chairman will represent the views of the Essex JBB and raise issues affecting the membership with the Chief Constable and media organisations, both locally and nationally.

This will include issues which may have an effect on members of the public as well as Essex police officers. The Chairman also meets with Essex MP’s locally and at Westminster and, since November 2012, the Essex PCC.

The JBB Chairman also has a responsibility to take the national media strategy forward locally.

The person in this role also chairs the executive and attends various committees, policy groups and forums to represent the Police Federation and its members.

The Chairman will work with the force to develop plans and policies in order to make Essex Police more efficient and effective, while looking after the interest of the federated members.

The Chairman will also give expert advice and guidance in the complex areas around Police Regulations as well as dealing with initial queries into all aspects of pay, allowances, hours of duty, annual leave, welfare, grievance advice, and disciplinary issues by federation members, undertaking research and advising accordingly.

The JBB Chairman and Secretary attend national meetings with the other federations as well as the national Chairman and Secretary to discuss national issues affecting the membership.

Deputy Secretary, Treasurer and Claims Secretary

The three roles are covered by one person. The first two parts of the title are self explanatory so I will just cover the JBB Claims Secretary role.

As JBB Claims Secretary the person holding this position is responsible for liaising with both injured officers and federation solicitors, dealing with the processing and submission of criminal injuries and civil claims. Linked to this role the person sits on the forces sickness management group and deals with all sickness related/efficiency queries, including representing officers in half pay situations.

Misconduct Secretary

The Conduct Secretary gives help and assistance to officers who are subject to IPCC investigations as well as local misconduct or gross misconduct investigations.

The Conduct Secretary undertakes research and helps the officer to produce written evidence and prepare for interviews while liaising with the Professional Standards department and federation solicitors.

In Essex we use THB Solicitors for all our call outs. We have used them for a good number of years now and always receive a top class service. They are experts in the Police Conduct Regulations. Nationally a number of different law firms are used who also specialise in police matters.

The Conduct Secretary provides expert advice and guidance in the complex area and implications of Police Regulations and the Misconduct Regulations to booth the force and federation members.

Next week: We conclude the series looking at Federation finances.