Tribute to fallen Met officer
The shocking death of a Metropolitan Police officer will be felt across the country but particularly by the policing family, says Maria Henry, chair of Gwent Police Federation.
Maria made the comments after the officer was shot in an incident at a Croydon custody centre in the early hours of this morning. Despite the efforts of colleagues and paramedics, he died in hospital.
Memorial Day online on Sunday
Gwent Police Federation chair Maria Henry is encouraging members to add their messages to a tribute wall as part of this year’s National Police Memorial Day.
The memorial day service, which had been due to take place at Lincoln Cathedral, will now take place online due to Covid-19 restrictions, on Sunday (27 September) at 3pm.
Time Limits campaign reaches MPs
“Long-drawn-out disciplinary investigations are having a devastating effect on so many colleagues; ruining their careers, leaving a mark on their mental health and on their loved ones.”
These were the words of Gwent Police Federation secretary Nicky Ryan in support of the fact that the Federation has submitted compelling evidence to Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee in a bid to reduce investigation timescales.
Jail sentences for officer assaults to be doubled
New legislation will be fast-tracked to double the maximum sentences for assaults on police officers from 12 months to two years.
The Government has brought forward a change in the law in response to extensive lobbying by the national Police Federation and its Protect the Protectors campaign in the wake of a growing number of assaults on officers.
Federation welcomes IOPC improvements
Gwent Police Federation chair Maria Henry today welcomed improvements in the timeliness of investigations by the police watchdog.
Maria says the Federation will continue to work with the Independent Office for Police Conduct on the issue in its aim to ensure investigations are completed within 12 months of an allegation.
Police minister praises ‘outstanding’ Flint House
The police minister has warned officers that the moment they stop paying their Flint House donation is probably the moment they will need the facility.
Kit Malthouse visited the rehabilitation centre in Oxfordshire and described it as ‘outstanding’ but expressed concern that the number of donating officers was falling.
Pay and morale survey reminder
All members who have not already filled in the annual Police Federation of England and Wales pay and morale survey are being urged to do so before it’s too late.
The survey will close at midnight tomorrow (11 September). It has been issued via the Federation’s national member database and is used in the Federation’s annual submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) which advises the Government on officer pay.
Police Covenant welcomed
Gwent Police Federation chair Maria Henry today welcomed a decision to enshrine a Police Covenant in law and says it will recognise the unique role of officers and staff.
Maria was speaking after the Home Secretary Priti Patel confirmed at the Police Superintendents’ Association annual conference that the Police Covenant will be introduced in legislation.
Mental health webinars – new dates released
Free online wellbeing sessions are being made available to police officers and staff, so they can talk about their mental health.
The webinar resilience check-ins are being held on 23 September, 6 October and 19 October and are being funded by the Police Federation of England and Wales. They will be run by National Police Wellbeing Service – Oscar Kilo – and led by Bailey and French, a consultancy firm with a ‘focus on the power of positive psychology’.
PPE survey – please share your views
Gwent Police Federation chair Maria Henry is encouraging members to contribute to a study into the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic.
Get active to help Police Care UK
Gwent Police Federation chair Maria Henry is encouraging members to support Police Care UK while boosting their own fitness and mental wellbeing.
The Get Active Challenge starts this month with officers and staff – and their family, friends and supporters – encouraged to get involved, to get moving and to help the national police charity.
Home Secretary in interview with Fed chair
The Home Secretary has told the Police Federation of England and Wales she will press Twitter to remove content that is harmful to police officers and policing.
Speaking in an exclusive online interview with Federation chair John Apter, Priti Patel said that would also be a message to the individuals who choose to post inappropriate video clips of policing and, in particular, the abuse of police officers.
Safety review: changes must be made
The secretary of Gwent Police Federation has called for the findings of a review into police safety to be swiftly implemented.
Nicky Ryan has welcomed a wide-ranging Officer and Staff Safety Review report from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing which makes 28 recommendations to improve officer safety.
Flint House re-opens on Monday
Flint House, the police rehabilitation centre, is preparing to re-open after coronavirus forced its closure earlier in the year.
A limited number of physiotherapy patients will be able to visit the centre on a mostly non-residential basis from Monday (7 September) but some patients who have completed remote consultations may be offered a five-day residential stay following an initial coronavirus assessment and ongoing screening.
Look after your health
“Being physically healthy or the best version of yourself that you can be has never been so important.”
This is the message from a new Police Mutual video which has been produced to encourage members to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the fight against coronavirus.
Assaults increase by 31 per cent
Assaults on emergency service workers have increased by 31 per cent when comparing July this year to the same period last year.
The figures, released by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, cover the four weeks to 2 August 2020 and have been compared with the same four weeks in 2019.
Lockdown crime fall was expected
The chair of Gwent Police Federation says a 32 per cent drop in recorded crime during lockdown was to be expected.
But Maria Henry has warned figures will rise as restrictions continue to be eased.
Home Office pensions update
The Home Office has set out guidance in relation to Immediate Detriment Pensions Cases.
This relates to the treatment of police officers who are due to retire imminently, including those taking ill-health retirement, who are impacted by the McCloud/Sargeant judgement.
Forces to get access to new Taser
The Home Secretary’s announcement that police officers can be equipped with a new model of Taser has been welcomed by Gwent Police Federation chair Maria Henry.
Priti Patel has approved the use the more accurate, faster and compact Taser 7 for use by all 43 forces in England and Wales.
Forces urged to share BWV footage
Forces need to redress the balance and release body-worn video footage to counter the criticism levelled at officers when members of the public post short clips of their interactions with the public on social media, the national chair of the Police Federation has argued.
John Apter says this would help show the full story behind the clips that, having appeared on social media, are often picked up by media outlets.
He has now requested a meeting with Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and Mike Cunningham, chief executive officer at the College of Policing, to discuss his concerns about the growing trend of officers being vilified when selective clips of their interactions with the public are shared on social media platforms and then broadcast by the media.
Pensions action: appeal to former officers
Officers who have left the Force after taking ill-health retirement or through the Voluntary Exit Scheme are being urged to get in touch with the Police Federation as it prepares its group action over the discrimination found in the transitional arrangements put in place with the introduction of the 2015 Police Pension Scheme.
More than 43,000 officers have applied to join the action but the Police Federation of England and Wales, after reviewing the applications following the original 31 July deadline, has discovered that none came from officers who had left the Force either due to ill-health retirement or through a voluntary exit.
Sign petition to support Harper’s Law campaign
Lissie Harper has launched a petition to back her Harper’s Law campaign which is calling for those convicted of killing a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, prison officer or paramedic to face life in prison.
Lissie, widow of PC Andrew Harper, the Thames Valley Police officer horrifically killed while on duty in August last year, has thanked everyone for supporting her campaign so far and urged people to sign the petition.
Gwent Forum Summer 2020
Online service for National Police Memorial Day
An online service will be held to mark this year’s National Police Memorial Day.
The event was planned to take place at Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday 27 September but was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The online event, to be held at 3pm on the day of the original service, will also include a tribute wall which has already been launched so that people can add their own messages remembering fallen colleagues.
Federation conduct leads call for better IOPC training
Better training would help improve the time it takes investigators from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to decide whether officers involved in Post-Incident Procedures (PIP) are witnesses or suspects or if the case will be referred to the force or the watchdog, according to the Police Federation.
Federation conduct and performance leads taking part in a virtual meeting with Kathie Cashell, the IOPC’s director of strategy and impact, last week were asked to give their feedback on how processes could be improved.
They reported that at times there seemed to be a ‘lack of empowerment’ and said IOPC investigators were slow in making decisions when involved in PIP.
Have your say on pay and morale
Members are being urged to take part in the annual Police Federation pay and morale survey.
The findings of the survey are used as evidence in the Federation’s yearly submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) which advises the Government on officer pay.
“We need as many members as possible to respond to this survey,” says Maria Henry, chair of Gwent Police Federation, “Not only does the national Federation use the findings when making its submission to PRRB but we also use them in our discussions with the chief officers and senior leaders here in Gwent.
Pay rise welcomed
The Police Federation will continue to fight to repair the damage years of austerity did to officers’ salaries, says Gwent branch secretary Nicky Ryan in welcoming the 2.5 per cent police pay award announced yesterday.
Nicky said the award was the first step towards bringing police pay back to where it should be.
“Given that we’re in the middle of a pandemic and the country is under financial pressure at the moment, the 2.5 per cent pay award is welcome,” said Nicky.
“But we know that officers saw their pay drop by 18 per cent in real terms during the years of austerity, so there is still a long way to go.
Public service pension schemes consultation announcement
This morning HM Treasury published details of a Public service pension schemes consultation process which started today and will close on 11 October 2020.
Pensions action: deadline extended
More than 36,000 officers have already applied to join the Police Federation’s group action for compensation after the introduction of the 2015 pension scheme.
The deadline for submitting applications was originally set for this Friday (17 July) but this has now been extended to 31 July to give Federation branches more time to manage the high level of enquiries they are receiving.
The Police Rehabilitation Centre, Flint House Support to Policing - Corona Virus Update July 7thnd 2020
Flint House
To keep you and your Federation members updated the following update is for all in Policing who are involved in officer wellbeing and welfare at this challenging time.
Following the latest Government advice regarding COVID -19 we are unable to accept or hold application forms for residential treatments.
We are working hard to ensure that the Centre is safe for staff and ready to receive patients on site as soon as it is safe to do so.
Following the latest Government advice regarding COVID -19 we are unable to accept or hold application forms for residential treatments.
We are working hard to ensure that the Centre is safe for staff and ready to receive patients on site as soon as it is safe to do so.
However we have adapted our approach to work with patients via the internet, dealing both with the backlog of Attendance Applications booked in for whilst lockdown was in force, and now those going forward.
The PAG Report & Treatment of Police Pensions upon Divorce
The report of the Pension Advisory Group (“PAG”), “a Guide to the Treatment of Pensions on Divorce” was published in July 2019.
Three recent decisions by the Family Court concerning the divisions of pensions have all referenced the PAG report as being influential on judicial decision making.
PFEW to launch Compensation Claim against Government
Important Message for Retired Members
We have been made aware of an issue with insurance premiums this month.
Thank you letter from Crime and Policing Minister, Kit Malthouse MP.
Vice Chair Ché Donald, with Police Care UK’s Director of Research, Dr Jess Miller.
Nation Police Chiefs Council Personal Protection Equipment Guidance - COVID 19
Nation Police Chiefs Council Personal Protection Equipment Guidance - COVID 19
Statement was issued on 9 April 2020 by PFEW around the acceptance of PPE guidance
Group Insurance - Sickness Benefit Claims (COVID-19)
Please be reassured during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation we will be handling Sickness Benefit Claims as a priority to ensure there is no undue delay in issuing benefit payments for members. We are hoping to maintain our usual service standards for these specific claims (turnaround within 3 – 5 working days). Members should be mindful that outstanding documentation will not be chased and it is therefore important to ensure the relevant signed paperwork is emailed in good time for payment to be made in the usual timeframes.
INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)
In the first instance you should obtain and follow advice given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and local or UK health authorities.
Where you have a query that relates to your travel plans, you must contact your tour operator, airline, accommodation provider or other travel companies to discuss options such as refunds, amendments or postponements.
Engineering work on our phone lines
Engineers will be working on the phone lines at the Federation Office on 5 March 19 which may cause disruption. If you are unable to get through to the Federation Office please send an email to gwent@polfed.org or phone Maria (Chair) on 07583 010580 or Nicky (Secretary) on 07971 572741
Update on the remedy to remove discriminatory provisions from the police pension schemes
This update and the attached FAQs are relevant to all members. This is the case whether you originally qualified for any of the transitional protections or not and whether you joined the pension scheme before 1 April 2015 or on or after that date, as ultimately all members are likely to be affected in some way by the remedy.
Awgrymiadau ar helpu rhywun i siarad yn agored pan mae rhywbeth yn bod / Little tips for helping someone open up when something’s up
Department for Transport and the Home Office with the National Police Chiefs’ Council are currently conducting a review of Roads Policing.
Police Care UK
Police Federation responds as Taser ‘bidding’ process begins
Gwent Forum Magerzine Winter 2019
Federation response to IOPC ‘reasonable force’ blog
Federation response to IOPC ‘reasonable force’ blog
Firearms lead, Steve Hartshorn, reacts to “inaccurate” publication
Last week the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) published a blog headed ‘Testing the law: reasonable or unreasonable use of force’. It concerned the judgment handed down on a judicial review last month by the High Court that the IOPC acted unlawfully in directing that a firearms officer should face misconduct proceedings for matters that began in 2015.
Pay Award Announcement
Letter From Branch Secretary Vickie Day
Collective Pension Statement
Police Federation officials representing officers from across England and Wales – our National Board and National Council – have met over the past two days to discuss important issues affecting our members, and top of that list has been pensions. Much has been said to the Police Federation of England and Wales, and to local Federations across the country, since the Supreme Court ruled there could be no appeal by the Government on the Judges' and Firefighters' pension discrimination ruling.
Fed poised to strike back on pensions
Research Invitation :- The Cops and Crewing Diary Study
I’m conducting a research project as part of a PhD programme at Royal Holloway University London, which aims to help better understand the issues that officers face day-to-day. More specifically, this research aims to explore (and evidence!) how crewing levels can affect how police officers think, feel and act.
Pension Update - EAT hearings for the judges’ and firefighters’ legal challenge
Police to receive 2% pay increase in 2018 to 2019
Police Bravery Awards 2018
Gwent Group Insurance Scheme
What would you do if you couldn’t do your job anymore?
The majority of those who have left the police service due to an injury on duty, based on our research, said their primary source of income is either from their police pension or a family member. That’s why we are looking for Ambassador volunteers who can spread the word about our retraining grants that can help those no longer able to do their policing role. Our Ambassadors will conduct presentations, put up posters, represent the Trust at local events and raise awareness on how those injury on duty can register with the Trust.
Emergency Response Drivers Bill reaches Parliament
A Ten Minute Rule Bill to be presented in Parliament on Tuesday 19 December will proposes greater protections for police and other 999 services from prosecution while responding to emergencies
Support is building for a change in law so that emergency response drivers engaged in trained driver tactics will be better protected.
Significant day in Parliament
A 10-Minute Rule Bill will be read in Parliament on Tuesday 19 December 2017 which could lead to legislative change to better protect emergency response drivers.
Far too many emergency response drivers have found themselves accused of driving carelessly or dangerously when they have simply been doing their job. This will be addressed by MP Sir Henry Bellingham's Bill and could lead to the introduction of an exemption for police and other emergency service workers.
Police Remuneration Review Body Letter
The Gurney Fund Winter Newsletter
Federation Advice
The Fedration have produced leaflets on popular subjects to aide its members in getting the right Advice
Force For Good - Police Mutual Community Fund
Federation House PFEW Members Offers
Federation House Weekend Stay offers from £50 per night B& B - plus PFEW Members Book your Private Events at Federation House
Federation House is Based Just on the outskirts of London an Easy Commute into the City via train
Launch of the New Website And Mobile Applications
Its 2017 and Gwent Police Federation are changing in the way it delivers News and Information to you our members. The New website has a fresh look and feel, together with a new forum so that members can discuss issues concerning them and together with the launch of the website, we are launching out first Android Mobile Application.
The Android Mobile application can be found by going to the Google Play store and searching for "Gwent Police Federation"
Freedom of Information Act
The Police Treatment Centres
Half of Gwent Police’s budget will be raised through local taxation by 2021
Jeff Cuthbert, the Police and Crime Commissioner, has warned that half of his force’s budget will have to be raised through local taxation by 2021, if current UK Government spending cuts continue.
Speaking to BBC Wales, Mr Cuthbert said he understood that people did not want to pay more for the police precept, which is collected with council tax.
However, if the projected 2% cuts from the Home Office continued, then around 50% of Gwent Police’s budget will have to be paid for locally – compared to around 30% in 2008.
Believe in Blue - Thunderclap
This Christmas we want your help to say a huge thank you to each and every police officer to show that they have the support of the British public. Join our Thunderclap and help us spread the word about the amazing work our officers do every day and especially over the festive period when rather than swapping presents and tucking into turkey many of them will spend Christmas Day away from their friends and families potentially putting their lives on the line to keep us safe.
Public show support for officers carrying Taser
The public have shown their support for police officers having access to Taser, dispelling the myth that it erodes community policing or the British model of policing by consent.
A survey, commissioned by the Police Federation of England and Wales, has shown 71% of respondents consider it acceptable for police officers to carry Taser when on patrol.
Four out of five surveyed said it would make no difference to their decision, or they would be more likely, to approach an officer for assistance if they were carrying a Taser. In addition, 89% said forces should be allowed to train and equip officers if the use of Taser is automatically recorded by Body Worn Video.
PCC Launches Police Funding Consultation
Gwent PCC Jeff Cuthbert is required to ensure that all the people who live in Gwent have an efficient and effective police service and he has a legal requirement to set the police budget. With this in mind, Mr Cuthbert launches his Have Your Say consultation survey today.
Since the start of the UK Government's current austerity programme in 2010/11, Gwent Police has delivered 42.1m of efficiency savings to date. However, the Force will still potentially face a recurring deficit of nearly 12 million by 2021/22 as a result of the Home Offices review of the way police forces in England and Wales are funded. This is in addition to the underlying cuts forecast from the effect of the Government's austerity programme. Since 2012, officer numbers in Gwent have been reduced by 220 and staff numbers by 151 (up to 2015).