“Compulsory severance concerns at Party conferences”

POLITICIANS of all political persuasions are being told police officers’ compulsory severance concerns during the current party conference season.

The Police Federation of England and Wales – led by Steve Williams (pictured) – has promised to highlight key issues to politicians “to ensure British policing remains the best in the world” at conferences across the UK.

The Police Arbitration Tribunal hearing on police officer redundancy has been scheduled for Friday November 15.

Once they have made their views known, Home Secretary Theresa May will then have the final decision.

Fringe events at the party conference seasion, supported by the Federation, Superintendents’ Association and ACPO will feature debates on the future of policing with politicians from all major parties.

Damian Green MP, Conservative police minister, Yvette Cooper MP, shadow home secretary, David Hanson MP, shadow policing minister and Irene Curtis, president from the Superintendents’ Association, are due to take part at the Labour and Conservative Party events.

The Federation has stated it will highlight issues including compulsory severance, which could impact on officers ability to remain impartial, cuts and the impact on services, privatisation, how crime statistics are not telling the whole picture and preserving what is best about policing in Britain – such as the independent Office of Constable which helps ensure police are free from political influence.

Mr Williams said: “We want to engage in a debate and positive discussion with key politicians during party conference season on the future of policing. This year has been incredibly eventful for police officers who are seeing increasing pressure on their resources.

“We believe savings can be made through national procurement, buying goods centrally, like cars and uniforms, in order to save essential funds so the front line is not in danger.

“Our members have also repeatedly voiced concerns over how cuts are impacting on other services and, as a result, the police service – such as the numbers of vulnerable people with mental health problems coming into police custody and police cars being used as ambulances. We will raise these points and look forward to a lively debate to move forward on key issues.”

The Policing Fringe will take place at:

Labour – Sept 24 in Brighton

Conservative – Oct 1 in Manchester