SUPPORTING members through the next phase of COVID-19 and improving communications is high up on the to-do list of Essex Police Federation\u2019s new Chair.<\/p>\n
Former Vice-Chair Laura Heggie has now taken over the role officially from outgoing Steve Taylor who\u2019s left to take up a board-level position with the PFEW.<\/p>\n
Laura, a sergeant with the Essex force, has six years under her belt at the Federation and 28 years\u2019 experience as a serving officer.<\/p>\n
As well as Vice-Chair, for the past 18 months, she\u2019s been the Federation\u2019s lead on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion matters.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all been great experience to help her deal with the challenges the top role will bring, she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always learning, and the bonus I\u2019ve had for the Chair role is that I\u2019ve been Vice-Chair for the last four years and have worked closely with Steve,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re good friends anyway and have always worked well together, so we\u2019ve discussed a lot of the things he was involved in before he left anyway.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means I\u2019m not coming in on a false start and I have a good understanding of what\u2019s going on and have been involved. Hopefully, I\u2019m hitting the ground running, which is helpful, especially as Steve has gone so quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
The challenges presented by COVID-19 are still very much on the agenda \u2013 and Laura says the Federation and force are preparing themselves for the potential impact of track and trace which could have a significant effect on cover if officers are forced to self-isolate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sat on the Silver COVID-19 Group, and now I\u2019m on the Gold Group too,\u201d Laura says, \u201cas well as picking up on the other meetings and other work. We will shortly be recruiting for the vacant Fed roles too, so it\u2019s a bit of a challenge at the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cLockdown has almost become unpoliceable with all the restrictions that have relaxed. Social Distancing at present hasn\u2019t changed, and track and trace is one of our big concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow it\u2019s up and running, even those with no symptoms might have to self-isolate for 14 days if they have been in contact with someone who had it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re working with the force to keep an eye on it. It could have a real issue on cover and even wipe out shifts. That\u2019s why social distancing is important still \u00a0and if they can\u2019t then they must wear PPE\u2013 but it\u2019s not easy for police officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got to come in still and do their shifts as best they can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ensuring communications are two-way, allowing members to have their say and share their opinions is a bug-bear she wants to tackle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always have been and always will be answerable to our members,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make that easier and to ensure officers are informed about what\u2019s going on so they can have an informed opinion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t always give members the answer they want; I can\u2019t just tell them what they want to hear because that\u2019s not helpful either. We won\u2019t and can\u2019t avoid those difficult conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Issues around pay and pensions won\u2019t be going away any time soon either and I know pensions understandably causes a great deal of pain and animosity<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve taken on the role of Chair for the same reason I\u2019ve been a Fed Rep \u2013 I\u2019m hoping I can help people but just at a different level now. I can speak up for people and make sure those who aren\u2019t being treated fairly have a voice and know about the policies and procedures they need to know about to do they\u2019re job.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Mr Harrington [Essex Police Chief Constable], and we\u2019ve already had a meeting. I\u2019m confident we\u2019ll carry on our good working relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laura says she wants members to remember the Fed is their organisation and is there for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome and speak to us \u2013 Reps are approachable. If you have a problem, don\u2019t let it dwell,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t know about a problem, we can\u2019t do anything about it; please tell us about it so we can help you.<\/p>\n
\u201cEssex officers have done a fantastic job through COVID-19. The risks they put themselves and their family at, it\u2019s not an easy decision to make about coming into work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve adapted throughout, and I would ask them just to continue and please don\u2019t be complacent about the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n
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