OUTGOING Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor says he wants to ensure local police officers\u2019 views and issues are heard in his new role on the Police Federation of England and Wales\u2019s National Board.<\/p>\n
Steve\u2019s taken the position after four years as Essex Police Federation Chair, but he will continue to serve on the Essex Federation Council.<\/p>\n
Part of his new role as one of 24 national board members will be to feed in regional views on issues affecting members and ensure they are used to help inform decision making at a national level.<\/p>\n
Having been a county Chair and championed the benefits Spit Guards and Taser have brought to members, ensuring local views are magnified is an issue close to his heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not always easy to balance the organisation\u2019s needs with the needs and rights of those charged with carrying out the organisation\u2019s wishes, but the members have always been my drive, and it\u2019s something I want to carry on a national level,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t remember that at national then we\u2019ve lost something.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe board take a steer from the local so that can inform the national view,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd thoughts, plans and ideas get percolated out through us at the national board back to the local Federations – it\u2019s a feedback in and feedback out system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe secondary part of the role will be leading on specific areas and portfolios, and once I\u2019ve found my feet, that\u2019s what I\u2019ll be doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve added: \u201cDay to day as Essex Chairman I was engaging with the local force; now it\u2019s the Home Office or the College of Policing and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s never been so crucial for the local voice to be heard at the centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the criticisms levelled at the national Federation has been that it is too far removed from that local voice, so with members like me going onto the board hopefully it will invigorate that and make sure those local ties are at the heart of the PFEW.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can always improve, and I\u2019m looking to bring a bit of that improvement if I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve says he hopes he\u2019s left Essex Police Federation in a good place and is proud of what he\u2019s achieved as he hands over to interim Chair Laura Heggie.<\/p>\n
His work on boosting Taser numbers, the introduction of Spit Guards and just getting the Federation and members through the ravages of austerity are on his personal highlight reel. Steve also says the launch of the\u00a0Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards \u2013 currently delayed until November because of Coronavirus \u2013 will also hold a special place in his memory.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI was Chair for four years \u2013 it\u2019s flown by – \u00a0and through that time we helped the force navigate austerity, the loss of officers and then the growing of the force, new shift patterns and operating systems. It was challenging.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m particularly proud of the role we played in getting Spit Guards into the force, Protecting the Protectors and Taser. In the past four years, we\u2019ve seen a steady growth in the number of Taser, which I know officers appreciate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m also really proud of launching the Bravery Awards –\u00a0and looking forward to the inaugural event later this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mental health awareness and \u2018getting it out of the shadows\u2019 was also something Steve advocated and affected positive change in during his time as Chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m grateful for the good relationship I had with CC Steve Kavanagh and then BJ Harrington,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was beneficial to us, and the force and I think I leave the Federation in a better place.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure the level of engagement and communication has improved. Laura and those around her are incredibly capable and informed, and I\u2019ve every confidence that Essex will grow from strength to strength,\u201d he said<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever is [permanent] Chair will need a thick skin,\u201d he half-joked, \u201cand you can\u2019t be all things to all people. Successes do come, but they come with hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Federation\u2019s new leadership team will have plenty on their to-do list to keep them busy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d have liked to have seen through the inequality around Bank Holidays and got that sorted, and they\u2019ll be pay and conditions, compensation in different police roles and of course pensions to tackle.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we recover from COVID-19 policing will be challenged by another likely round of austerity too.<\/p>\n
\u201cBest of luck to Laura in the interim and the new Chair going forward \u2013 I\u2019m very grateful to members who came forward with views and challenged our positions and decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s essential they feel they can do that, it doesn\u2019t always lead to change, but it\u2019s important they feel they can share their opinion. It was always listened to.\u201d<\/p>\n
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