WINTER 2016 FORUM The magazine of Gwent Police Federation Gwent PC honoured at bravery awards - see Pages 6 and 7 www.gwentpf.org l Representing l Influencing l Negotiating CONTENTS Chair’s introduction 2 A message from ‘Good’ rating for Force in efficiency review 3 Officer assaults: tougher sentencing the chairman needed 4 Attack on PD Finn leads to debate in By Tim Wilcox, It is good to see that awareness of mental Parliament 5 chairman of Gwent ill-health and its causation factors are now Police Federation receiving the recognition they demand. We Gwent PC honoured at bravery awards 6 know that this job puts us under more risk ‘We must never forget’ 8 I hope that you are all than most. I am particularly pleased that as well as can be officers will be receiving training to help DCC lands post as Notts Chief 9 expected and are identify the signs of mental illness in others. prepared for the As colleagues, we do not just work We ask your questions: The PCC 11 coming winter closely with each other but also get to work months. Having in stressful circumstances where the signs of Funding criteria for provision of legal already woken to the such illness can be glimpsed. Mental illness assistance 12 first fall of snow during November, it does will often try to cover its own tracks by Misconduct hearings on the up 12 not bode well for the severity of the rest of hiding from exposure. the winter. The calls for the devolution of policing to Latest morale survey indicates I must give my thanks to Mr Cuthbert, Wales continues and many are hopeful that improvement 13 the PCC, for agreeing to take part in the should - although it is surely a case of when interview for the questions feature and - it happen that policing and in particular Quick guide to regulations 13 being so generous with his time in so doing. the individual circumstances of officers will I know that he particularly enjoyed his hours benefit from it. There is no question that it PIP should go beyond firearms 14 on patrol with PC Jon Taylor in Blaenau could be devolved. It is important, however, Striding ahead 15 Gwent and found it useful to have more of that a plan for the devolved policing of an insight into the variety of work that a Wales is produced so the public who are Former officer’s change of direction 15 response officer faces in an ‘average’ day. I served by the service and the people who would also like to welcome his deputy, Mrs work within it have a clear idea of how Eleri Thomas, to the Force; she has already policing will be structured. Also there should shown a considerable grasp of the issues be an opportunity for both groups to voice Cover photo courtesy of Anderson that face us as an organisation. their opinions of that structure and to help Photography. Many of you will have taken part in the to mould it. Federation pay and morale survey. You will I am hopeful that the re-designed Gwent see that the figures are examined in some Police Federation website will be ready early detail elsewhere in this magazine. As you in the new year. If there is anything that any may well be aware, the indication from the of you would particularly like to see on it FORUM survey as far as Gwent is concerned is that then please let me know. morale has improved over its position in the Many of you will know Sue Connikie is published by survey last year. either as a result of her 30 years service as a Gwent Police Federation However, the overall tale is one where PC in Gwent or latterly as the Federation Federation Office morale is reported to be poor, few would misconduct manager. She has produced an recommend joining to others and significant article about the general misconduct 9 The Highway numbers of officers are thinking of leaving situation in Gwent over the last two years or New Inn within the next two years. so and she has also produced a guide to the Pontypool In short, I believe that the figures legal funding rules, which should hopefully NP4 0PW indicate a demoralised group of respondents clarify the situation somewhat. who are, in general, feeling rather unloved The national Federation has submitted a Tel: 01495 764349 and undervalued. The undervalued may in document to the Police Remuneration part be due to the devaluing of police pay Review Body for it to consider before Chairman: Tim Wilcox over the last six years or so but I think (and deciding upon what level of pay we can all Email [email protected] the figures from the survey rather bear this look forward to. Some of you may remember out) that how the police service is now the derision that the Federation’s Secretary: Vickie Day regarded as a whole and the considerations submission for a 2.8 per cent pay rise was Email [email protected] of officers’ health and wellbeing seemingly greeted with in some circles last year. This coming behind organisational needs have year, with inflation forecast to reach the Produced by XPR (UK) Ltd contributed to these figures highly. giddy heights of perhaps five per cent, it will www.xpruk.com My personal belief is that every give due weight to this year’s submission, as organisation relies on the oil of goodwill it calls for a level of wage increase in line from its workers to keep the machine with forecast inflationary rises. working at its best. To get workers to bring Be safe and well all. that particular brand of oil to the workplace, it is vital that each worker feels supported “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you and cared for. Manage the human being well tend to see every problem as a nail.” and the police officer component will follow. Abraham H. Maslow understand trends and to allocate officers in advance to tackle crime. The Force has also developed good collaborations with partners including other forces, the ‘Good’ rating ambulance service, academic institutions and the private sector, to deal with demand more efficiently. “I was particularly impressed to find that Gwent Police has a comprehensive for Force in investment strategy with detailed plans for investment in information technology. This investment has allowed officers and staff more time to have direct contact with members of the public. efficiency review “I am pleased to find that the Force can demonstrate a well researched savings plan for the future and hopes to achieve The Force has once again been rated as is responding well to the challenges this without a negative impact on front- ‘good’ in an annual efficiency review brought through the cuts programme line service.” carried out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate which had seen officer numbers slashed Two of the 43 forces in England and of Constabulary (HMIC). despite no corresponding fall in demand Wales received an ‘outstanding’ grade in Inspectors said the Force is good at for our services.” HMIC’s efficiency inspection - Durham and understanding demand and planning to Inspectors reported that Gwent Police: West Midlands – compared to five last save money but protect front-line services l is good at understanding demand; year. while maintaining efficiency. l has detailed plans for making best use Eight forces – including Dyfed Powys Gwent was also rated ‘good’ last year in of technology and digital services; and - received a ‘requires improvement’ grade the PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency l is developing a plan to make savings while the remaining 33 forces were judged and legitimacy) programme inspection. while protecting front-line services. as ‘good’. No forces were judged to be “Forces were inspected on how well HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy ‘inadequate’. they are able to predict demand for their Williams said: “Building on its performance HMIC will report on its findings of all services both now and in the future, and in our 2015 inspection, Gwent Police police forces’ legitimacy - the way that how they manage their officers, staff and continues to provide an efficient service. forces are fair and ethical - at the end of other resources,” says Tim Wilcox, “During our inspection we found that this year, and on the effectiveness of police chairman of Gwent Police Federation. Gwent Police had a good understanding of forces in managing all aspects of crime in “It is pleasing that HMIC feels the Force the demand for its services and was able to spring 2017. Force in numbers FORUM Winter 2016 3 Officer assaults: tougher sentencing needed Police Federation campaign for tougher incidents in England and Wales last year. Smart and Hampshire chair John Apter met sentencing of those convicted of Gwent Police Federation has been with a large number of Labour and Aassaulting police officers has won working with the Force to launch an action Conservative MPs. backing in Parliament. plan to improve the way in which officers and Calum said: “Today was an important step MPs resolved, after a three-hour staff assaulted on duty are treated and in raising awareness among MPs and the Commons debate on police officer safety in supported. public of the risks that police officers face on a November, that assaults on the police are The plan, which follows a similar initiative daily basis. It was also about putting in place ‘unacceptable’ and welcomed the work of the first launched in Hampshire and now measures to ensure that those who assault Independent Sentencing Council in producing replicated across England and Wales, begins police officers are held to account by the guidelines that recognise the seriousness of with a pledge to ensure that investigations courts and that sentences reflect those crimes attacks on the emergency services.