IF COMPULSORY severance is introduced for police officers later this year it will \u201cbe the death of the service,\u201d Police Federation chairmen have warned.<\/p>\n
The ability for chief constables to forcibly make police officers redundant – a recommendation in the Winsor 2\u00a0report\u00a0currently being discussed by the Police Negotiating Board \u2013 has caused concern among cops across the country.<\/p>\n
Officers were hoping that Home Secretary Theresa May would use her speech to the annual Police Federation of England and Wales conference last week to cancel plans for compulsory severance.<\/p>\n
But she declined.<\/p>\n
“There is not a case to bring in redundancy for police officers,\u201d said Simon Roberts, chairman of Cheshire Police Federation. \u201cIt feels like it is being used as almost punishment to hold over us. The Home Secretary had the opportunity to put the matter to bed in her speech but she did not.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the grey cloud hanging over our organisation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jon Christopher, chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said he was hoping to get more of a steer on how the Government was approaching compulsory severance for police officers during Mrs May\u2019s speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fact that she had not said anything fills me with dread that they will adopt it and it will be the death of the service,\u201d said Mr Christopher.<\/p>\n
Recommendation 46 of the Winsor 2 review into police officer pay and conditions stated that \u201cThe Police Regulations 2003 should be amended to create a system of compulsory severance for police officers with less than full pensionable service.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the conference in Bournemouth, Mrs May was urged by Steve Williams, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, to \u201ctake compulsory severance off the negotiating table\u201d or at least delay the decision until there can be \u201ca strong, proven case for its necessity\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe power for chiefs to sack officers undermines the very foundation of policing, namely the Office of Constable,\u201d said Mr Williams.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ability of officers to make independent, impartial and accountable decisions, free from political influence or management pressure is fundamental, and to change the face of British policing forever is not something that should be done away with at the stroke of a pen.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the Home Secretary would not make her views known on the issue. \u201cI recognise the concern about compulsory severance. It is in negotiations and it is right to leave it there,\u201d Mrs May said. \u201cI recognise that there is strong concern about this issue and that has been made clear to me through the Federation and at this conference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discussions around recommendation 46 are due to conclude at the Police Negotiating Board in July after the Police Arbitration Tribunal suggested the proposal should be deferred for further deliberations.<\/p>\n
Rachel Baines, chairman of Lancashire Police Federation, said it appears \u201cthe lady is not for budging on compulsory severance\u201d after Mrs May\u2019s address to the conference.<\/p>\n
She said the Home Secretary should remember \u201cthe dangers of the job we do\u201d when deciding whether to grant chief constables the power to make police officers redundant.<\/p>\n
Ms Baines said: \u201cShe made reference to the fact that other public sector workers don\u2019t have the right to strike but they are still subject to compulsory severance so it looks like she has already thought about that one.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she didn\u2019t really make the link between that and the dangers of the job we do. People will find that quite disappointing. There was a hope from officers today that she would give us a concession on that. But that was not to be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ian Hanson, chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: \u201cFor the era of confrontation between the government and the police service to be put to bed, the spectre of compulsory severance for police officers needs dealing with.\u201d<\/p>\n
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