Home Office review doesn’t include the right questions, says Fed

A NEW Home Office front line review in policing career and development is ducking the main issues affecting policing today – but officers should still get involved says Essex Police Federation.

Sponsored by Policing Minister Nick Hurd, the review will not cover pay, resourcing or demand – because work in this area is already underway by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, says the Home Office.

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor says he was ‘extremely disappointed’ that the review isn’t covering the big issues on the frontline.

However, he believes that officers should get involved, if only to protect the integrity of any subsequent reviews or questionnaires.

“As a Federation we are really disappointed that an opportunity to get views on pay, conditions and demand wasn’t taken,” Steve said.

“Ultimately they’re asking us to share our view with them without covering any of the biggest things currently having an impact on policing.

“Of course, promotion opportunities and organisational fairness are important, but they are certainly not at the forefront of officers’ thoughts or concerns, they are just ignoring those.”

Despite this, Steve hopes wants officers will get involved.

The Home Office has asked officers to feedback their views through force communication outlets and networks.

Once feedback is in, focus groups with officers will be set up.

“Because it’s not covering pay, conditions, capacity, demand – the things that are affecting frontline policing – the danger is that it won’t get the buy-in from officers.

“Then they’ll be able to say ‘well, we asked you, but you didn’t tell us’

“They are asking a question, it might not be the question we wanted but there are asking for our feedback.

“If we don’t what happens to the next review where we really need people to have their say?”

“We might not be cock-a-hoop about it and they may be ignoring the biggest challenges we all face as officers, but let’s try and take the time to feedback on the questions they are asking and pivot it back to what matters to us wherever possible.”