COMMUNICATION with Essex Police officers is vitally important as policing remains in one of the most uncertain times in its history, the Federation chairman has said.<\/p>\n
Mark Smith (pictured) said keeping members up to date was \u201cthe be all and end all\u201d and that one of his main priorities in the job was to keep the force\u2019s frontline officers in touch with news and views that affect them.<\/p>\n
He was speaking in the first edition of new online magazine EssexFedFocus.<\/p>\n
Mr Smith, in the role since Autumn 2011, said: \u201cI think it is fair to say that then the feedback was not good towards the Federation \u2013 and that was down to a lack of communication, whether it be locally or nationally.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy using Social Media, our website and now this new online magazine, we have increased the communication with the membership. Communication is the be all and end all – whether it be from the Federation, from chief officers to the staff or to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
EssexFedFocus is a new monthly Ezine which will document all the local and national policing news relevant to the county\u2019s cops on pay, conditions, pensions, careers, promotions, welfare, shifts, officer safety, and uniform.<\/p>\n
Policing policy and political decisions \u2013 and news from national Police Federation Headquarters – will also feature.<\/p>\n
Mr Smith added: \u201cAll the problems I have seen in this job come down to communication.<\/p>\n
Such as rest days being cancelled for members \u2013 if the force communicates why they are being cancelled it would improve things. Poor communication is the problem most of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ezine will also tell the story of when the Federation has achieved positive results on behalf of its membership. \u201cWe have had some good news stories over the last year,\u201d added Mr Smith.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have got Taser rolled out to more officers \u2013 non firearms officers – which can only be good news for officer safety. If it stops one officer being assaulted it was worth the fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd from the 1st of April, Tac vests will start to be issued to officers \u2013 response, patrol and then neighbourhood – to help officers carry what they have to carry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are also working on a memorandum of understanding over exigencies of duty \u2013 to try and improve communication between force and officers. This will hopefully make the process smoother, give continuity and stop confrontation.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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