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Yr Haf / Summer 2011

Ffederasiwn Heddlu Gogledd Cymru Ar Y Cyd â Heddlu Gogledd Cymru / North Wales Police Federation In Association With North Wales Police Working together as One Team, we will continue to move forward as an organisation Coming soon page 6 OUR ORGANISATION new configuration of radio channels and associated issues were escalated to, and progress May the 4th has come and gone and we are now is being regularly reviewed at, the weekly chief operating the new policing model within the officer meeting. new structures. A key element of the long term success will be the In the visits made by ACPO officers and senior role of the Communications Centre, which is managers, it has been encouraging to see such a required to positively dispatch resources rather positive attitude from officers and staff ready to than merely ask for volunteers. Additionally, they meet the new challenges. Change is never easy, will be encouraged to manage incident queries. and certainly not on the scale that we pursued on It’s vitally important that we all work as “One 4th May. Team”. Geographical boundaries have been HERO Cop Given the scale the changeover went as smoothly removed and we must ensure that other barriers as could be reasonably expected and I pay tribute do not appear in their place. One Team includes page 8 to those who made it happen. Many worked Response, Neighbourhood and Investigation, tirelessly to ensure that IT upgrades happened underpinned by all the other areas which focus on without disruption to frontline services, others supporting front line delivery such as the made sure that the logistics were in place for fleet Communications Centre. and lockers to be in the right place at the right I consider the involvement of Unison, the time. Months of planning, commitment and hard Federation and Superintendents’ Association in work paid off and for that I thank all concerned. informing and challenging the change programme At the same time, the vast majority of those on the and highlighting concerns and issues to be frontline prepared in advance by taking into paramount to the success of the organisation. That account the advice provided. The central team is why they are fully involved in Project 2011+, dealt with only a few relatively minor issues during that is why their representatives are encouraged to Federation the transition, which is testament to the raise any such concerns and that is why those Update professionalism displayed in making the transfer concerns are given due importance by the as smooth as possible. organisation. In this regard no one should fail to pages 11 - 14 Has the change proved successful? That depends recognise what a difficult role Richie Eccles and on how you judge success and in truth it is too Eileen Price, in particular, have to perform. early to reach a conclusion. It will take time for Representing, and being seen to represent, staff the new design to bed in and we are already views on the one hand and on the other making adjustments as we go along, but the daily contributing to the change programme in a business of policing continues. I recognise that positive fashion is not an easy balance to achieve many operational staff may be working in and could be easily underestimated and different locations and, coupled with the change undervalued. It is not undervalued by me. of structure, will need time to settle. We will In terms of balance, let me then turn to some of continue to support managers and staff to ensure the views expressed in this edition and respond as that this transition is as successful as it can be. I might be properly expected to do as the one Anti Social Let me assure you that all issues being highlighted ultimately accountable for this organisation. Behaviour Matters are being risk assessed and prioritised. Seemingly Inspector Mark Davies in his article on For example, the concerns expressed about the p12 has not taken the time to read the mandate pages 20 - 21 Continued overleaf 59716 Focus Link Summer A/W:42402 Focus Link Spring 04 20/6/11 16:30 Page 2

for Project 2011+ for if he had he would know that his suggested • To agree to recycle savings would serve to undermine the strategy for realising savings is the strategy that is being pursued, negotiations and any future national settlement and would with project 2011+ as its core. also fail to acknowledge that pay and conditions across Moreover it seems that Inspector Davies neither reads local most, if not all, sectors are necessarily being constrained in newspapers, listens to local radio channels nor watches local one form or another to contribute to meeting the national television channels. If he did he would have noted that in the financial deficit many interviews I have given over the last few months I have • I am responsible for the whole workforce, not just the repeatedly said: Federated ranks and I must be, and must be seen to be, fair to all. I am not prepared to treat police officers and • Given the scale of the financial cut we face over four years police staff differently for example (the first being 2011/12), to do nothing was not an option • Whether any of us may like it or not, considerable financial savings have to be found and to agree to recycle any • That staff numbers were going to fall, probably in the order savings arising from the Windsor review, even if I were of 300 staff in permitted to do so (and I am not as it will be a national total but maybe more settlement in many respects), would necessarily lead to a • That we would continue to ensure that if further reduction in the number of staff employed which the public needed us urgently, we would would increase the pressure still further on those remaining get to them as quickly as possible Am I concerned about the impact Windsor will have on some staff? • That the numbers on neighbourhood policing teams would Of course I am, I feel responsible for the organisation and those be protected at this point working within it. Just as I am concerned about the effect the emerging proposals on pensions, arising from the Hutton Review, • That whilst we would seek to maintain frontline services, will have on all members of staff. Indeed, my greatest concern the nature of some of those services would necessarily have relates to the combined effect of the broader pay freeze, Windsor, to change. A specific example I often gave was that we Hutton and other taxation changes set in the context of rising would no longer be attending all crimes and indeed domestic costs. Concerned that someone, somewhere in referred to some particular vehicle crimes as falling within Government might not be totalling up the effects of all of these on this category public sector staff, some time ago I personally wrote with the • In short, I indicated I could not protect frontline numbers endorsement of my own staff association to Tom Windsor and Nick but that I would do my best to protect frontline services Herbert, the Police Minister, making this point. The suggestion that senior managers in this organisation won’t If this does not represent an attempt to shape public expectations raise concerns because they fear it will amount to career suicide is then I am not sure what does. That said the considerable number also a serious criticism to level at the organisation and an easy one of meetings senior managers, Police Authority Members and I to make without offering evidence. Let me be clear for my part, attended with the County Councils, local parish and town councils that on the contrary if I discover managers in the organisation and other important groups and also the level of correspondence I have not raised substantive concerns when they should have in continue to engage in on the subject is further evidence of the accordance with the level of responsibility they hold, then evidence efforts that many have pursued to similarly inform our of this fact is more likely to influence the assessment of their communities and their representatives. I have never said there will competence negatively then the alternative. I am confident that be no cut to “frontline policing” and neither have any of my chief our current promotion processes afford the opportunity to identify officer colleagues. any undue grounds for a manager failing to support a deserving The suggestion in the p12 article that the organisation might not candidate for promotion and I challenge anybody to suggest that have been open with the public in an attempt to preserve public any selection process I am personally concerned in (and I chaired confidence is nothing short of nonsense. Have we considered what the last Superintendent selection process) is anything other than impact what we say will have on the public we serve? Of course we fair and transparent. have, to do otherwise would be to lose sight of the fact that we are an organisation charged with keeping our public safe and helping OUR PRIORITIES them to feel safe. During this period of change, it is worth remembering that our Turning to the letter referred to in the article, it should be clear priorities remain to: from the above that the letter was not my first indication that all • Ensure that people have trust and confidence in could not remain the same. The central question I was specifically North Wales Police asked in the letter from the Federation Secretary was whether I would support a proposal by the Federation that any savings from • Reduce and resolve crime and anti social behaviour the Windsor Review should be recycled back into pay and • Protect people and reduce harm conditions for police officers. I indicated I would not support this proposal. Why? Well here are some of the reasons: • Deliver a quality of service that meets the needs of the communities • Windsor affects all officers, including me, but whilst we may not like some of the proposals the correct place for • Provide a well led, organised and skilled workforce them now to be tested in my view is in the national They have remained the same firstly because the public survey negotiating machinery (Police Negotiating Board) where all conducted last autumn confirmed they reflect the areas our our staff associations are represented communities wish us to focus upon, but also to provide continuity

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and thus not introduce a change in emphasis at a time of Of course I appreciate that our level of ambition has to take considerable organisational change. account of the fact that there are now fewer police officers and staff in the organisation. Recognising this, the Authority and Force OUR PERFORMANCE have reduced the number of targets from 14 to 11, with many set to maintain the gains achieved last year rather than stretch still Despite the changes and uncertainties many of our services and further. outcomes improved markedly last year. For example, public confidence increased from 77% to 84%; total crime reduced by Some key aspects of our performance and service delivery 7%, serious crime by 5%; anti social incidents fell by 7%; and anti declined in the run-up to and beyond 4th May as many, social crime is down 12%. We also brought more offenders to understandably, became consumed with getting the change right. justice for serious acquisitive crime, serious violence and serious Much work is being done now, to bring our performance back to sexual offences just as we set out to do – in the case of serious acceptable levels. sexual offences we convicted 59% more offenders. Finally, I would like to thank again all officers and staff for their Every single person in the organisation contributed to these, and tremendous professionalism in coping with the changes. I realise the many other improvements, in one way or another. What is now that these are difficult times, however, I’m confident that if we all important is that we maintain this focus and emphasis on work together as One Team, we will continue to move forward as improving the lot of the communities we serve within the new an organisation and continue to meet the needs of the structures we have moved to. communities of North Wales.

Meet the new Business DI TIM Services Director Geoff Bradley

Geoff Bradley has over 23 year’s experience with North Wales Police, punctuated with a period of 5 years in the private sector. Having originally joined the Force in 1984 he has worked for four Chief Constables and has seen many changes in policing generally and specifically within North Wales Police. He has recently taken up the new role of Director of Business Services created as part of the Force restructuring. Business Services includes Finance (including the Shared Service Facility), HR, Training, Estates, Services, Procurement, Information Technology & Communications and Business Intelligence.

What are your most important aims in your new role? • Maintaining performance with less resources The main aim for Business Services is to ensure that resources are • Continuing to innovate whilst delivering savings used effectively and efficiently throughout the force in support of • Keeping the public on board policing. My commitment and that of Business Services is to put the frontline first, ensuring that everything we do is aimed at How do you think you will make a difference? making a positive impact on policing. I completely support the Force’s “One Team” ethos, and Business In specific terms our key outcomes for 2011/2012 are: Services will adopt this philosophy wholeheartedly. We will be • Establish a two-way engagement process with Police officers establishing a customer focused engagement model, making sure and staff we speak to all the officers and staff we provide products and services to. We will use any input and feedback we receive from • Establish a service orientated culture this communication to shape the products and services we provide. • Retain competent staff that are clear of the purpose of We have a real desire to understand the requirements of the Business Services & confident about their own role organisation and to meet these effectively and consistently, exceeding expectations wherever we can. • Deliver cashable savings The key to us achieving our goals is our people. The Business How we’ll achieve these outcomes: Services team are highly skilled professionals who are motivated • Communication - Understand and agree priorities and capable. Through them, we will accomplish our objectives. A for police officers and staff cohesive approach is essential, and we will be working to break down the silos that existed prior to the formation of Business • Service Delivery - Balance the needs of police officers and Services to ensure a consistently high, corporate standard of service staff with the need to achieve sustainable savings delivery for all our functions. • Service Improvement - Improve our service for police officers and staff Outside work, what are your main interests? Outside of work a good proportion of my time is spent with family What do you consider to be the big challenges facing and friends. I do enjoy walking in North Wales when the North Wales Police in the future? opportunity and weather permit!

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PROJECT 2011+ UPDATE

STAGE 3 NEIGHBOURHOOD & INVESTIGATION Stage 3 of 2011+ has commenced and the areas the team will be TEAMS - VIEWPOINT OF INSPECTOR reviewing are: MARK ARMSTRONG GWYNEDD SOUTH Operational reviews – CID (Level 1 and Level 2 / FMIT / I was quite taken aback when I Confidential unit / Surveillance/PPU), Demand reduction and was asked to pen an article on management of repeat locations /AJD and Coordinated CJU how the Local Policing system functions. had been successful since the inception on the 4th May. I had Non Operational Reviews – Residual DHQ business / Fleet / been amongst the masses of Procurement and Services. people who had doubts about the systems that were being STAFF implemented, and had voiced my Insp Mark Armstrong There will be a changeover of staff on the team, we say goodbye concerns to anyone on 2011 who to Superintendent Sacha Hatchett, she is leaving to go on would listen. maternity leave, we wish her all the very best with her impending I think it is too early for me to say I was wrong, but I have to arrival. Superintendent Jeremy Vaughan will now be in charge of admit, following two weeks of the brave new world that I the Project 2011+ Team. might have been! Operational Reviews will be headed up again by Chief Inspector Before we get carried away with the successes of the new Ian Maxwell and Chief Inspector Dave Owens will be leading on systems, I think we still have some way to go, and a lot of the Non Operational Reviews. lessons to learn, but there are very positive strong shoots Don’t forget that the 2011+ website is always available for starting to show themselves. I personally, over in the deepest updates and you can submit questions to the teams via the South West of the Force have been very pleased with the 2011+ FAQ website or helpdesk on Ext 05394. successes of the Response model in Meirionnydd and Penlleyn, and how the officers have adapted very quickly to the new Hub model. GO LIVE OF STAGE 1 & 2 REVIEWS I personally believe that it is too early to measure the Overall the transition went well, staff turned up at their new investigation and Neighbourhood Policing successes just yet, workplaces and the equipment they needed to carry out their as these are areas of work that take time to nurture and roles was in place. Gold Command received very few phone calls; establish themselves. There are teething problems, as you only minor issues around IT with the opening of Calendars and would expect, but I am satisfied that the first few weeks will mail boxes and priority 2 jobs were reported. These have now allow us to deliver a workable model and some of the tough been rectified. There is no doubt that this is down to the lessons being learnt today, will pay dividends for the commitment and positive attitude of staff out there who are organisation in the future. determined to make the new Functional Policing Model and structure work. Thank you for your ongoing hard work. As Clint Eastwood said in the film Heartbreak Ridge “Improvise, adapt, overcome”. Never has this been truer in our Since go live, feedback has been collated from staff around their organisation, but I am now more confident we can get there concerns on some of the new processes that have been than perhaps I once was. implemented. The management of Airwave talk groups has been an issue raised by many staff. ACPO have been monitoring this, reviewing the issues and, as per their messages to staff, extra resources have been put into the control room. Generally though RESPONSE POLICING TEAMS - the feedback has been very positive around the numbers of staff VIEWPOINT OF INSPECTOR KEV STEELE we are now able to put out, especially on weekends for late shifts WREXHAM & MOLD HUBS and regarding the new structured briefing process. The transition came, there was no Response times have been maintained, after an initial dip for the apocalypse. The world still turned, first few days which was expected. a burglary was still a burglary and a theft was still a theft. My team’s first shifts were a weekend of lates. There was a little confusion on the first shift which was to be expected; this was not helped by Wrexham Football Insp Kev Steele Club having a play off match and the Government holding Local and Assembly elections on the same day. Issues have been identified, however these have been fed back and the appropriate departments are working hard to find resolutions. Response officers still took out GPs and went to jobs assisting the public, where they found that events were still the same and dealt with largely in the same manner. In a matter of days Despite everything it’s been a success, its still business as usual. officers from the different work streams found their feet and

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certainly in my area, there have been examples where the cogs Other key services provided by the IST include: in the new structure have turned in mutual harmony. For example following a report of sexual assault on children • Recording and allocation of crime occurrences which was initially dealt with by response officers who created by the iCAD/RMS interface arrested the offender, the investigation sergeant arranged statements and further enquiries assisted by the night DC, • Recording/Linking of Vulnerable Person (CID16) finally the interview was performed by a CID officer the submissions following day. Also a shoplifter was arrested and brought to • Validating detection and No Crime requests custody where she was readily accepted by the investigation team although she was speedily dealt with via a Penalty • Finalisation of occurrences Notice. • Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction and Child Sex Offender Despite the structural reorganisation of the Force and for Referral Scheme submissions some a change in location, in essence the role of the response officer has not altered a great deal, however now they have a clear identity and function. For further information about the IST, please contact: Detective Inspector Tim Evans, IST Manager, Mel Skelt, Deputy Manager or Sheila Price, Deputy Manager INVESTIGATION SUPPORT TEAM Following its implementation in February 2011, the Investigation Support Team (IST) provides a proportionate JAMIE CLEGG - SHARED SERVICE response to non-urgent crime reports with a focus on first time resolution. This allows us to target our resources on FACILITY MANAGER the most serious and solvable offences in line with our I am Jamie Clegg and I would like to policing priority to reduce and resolve crime and anti-social take this opportunity to introduce behaviour in our communities. myself as the Shared Service Facility As an early element of the recent Force Restructuring Manager. Programme, the IST has faced a number of initial challenges. After months of preparation the Shared Foremost amongst these has been a significant shortage in Service Facility was launched on staff numbers which has made it difficult to meet the various Monday 23rd May. demands of their workload. Jamie Clegg The Shared Service Facility was Encouragingly, vacancies are now in the process of being filled established in response to well and the newly appointed staff are undergoing training. publicised financial challenges, but more importantly this Despite the early challenges, the hard work of IST staff is creation of a single team of experts from across NWP, with a already paying dividends with sustained progress being made wealth of knowledge and experience, is actually the right thing in the amount of demand being reduced by the Team. to do. The Shared Service Facility will form the foundation for further improvements and will actively encourage and develop This level currently runs at approximately 12% which equates creativity to ensure a sustainable service into the future. to over 100 crime occurrences per week being retained for investigation by the IST. The Shared Service Facility is a dedicated team with the sole purpose of providing you with outstanding customer service with We envisage that this steady progress will continue as the regards to HR, Training and Finance. We will be your initial resilience of the team increases and the staff become contact and will work closely with our Business Services Partners increasingly familiar with processes. to ensure your needs are expertly fulfilled. Demand reduction is achieved through the transfer of non Importantly you need to know how to access this service: urgent crime related calls directly to the Team who obtain details and conduct initial enquiries over the telephone. A It couldn’t be simpler: Phone 01492 804222 or extension primary investigation is conducted and opportunities to solve 04222 and pick one of the options available. the offence are examined, including the availability of forensic Alternatively email your request to one of the 10 Shared Service evidence, witnesses or CCTV footage. Consideration is also Facility email boxes which represent the same advice teams as given to the individual requirements of the caller, for example those available on the telephone: vulnerability factors and repeat victim status. Where no investigative opportunities exist, IST staff can SSF Finance Cashier SSF HR Attendance Management finalise occurrences without further deployment but if SSF Finance Debtors SSF HR General Enquiries additional enquiries are required, the Team will consider undertaking a ‘Proportionate Investigation’. This may involve SSF Finance Payment Team SSF HR Recruitment & Postings deployment of CSI or referral to Local Policing Teams for a SSF Finance Purchasing Team SSF HR Training reassurance visit supported by desk based enquiries. SSF Finance Supplies team SSF Payroll & Pensions Occurrences assessed as being solvable or having aggravating features require a secondary investigation and these are passed to Local Area investigation Teams as scheduled You can expect a courteous and timely response from a member appointments. of the team ready to listen. You will receive expert advice or a service appropriate to your needs.

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PROJECT 2011+ UPDATE CONTINUED

Supt Jeremy Vaughan who will lead on the next This is challenging work for all those involved and I stage of project 2011 said: look forward to working with the team – we all have a responsibility to support each other and I would “I am under no illusion of the difficult task which lies ask that the whole organisation recognises their role ahead in leading on the stage 3 review. Whilst our in helping to deliver this challenging target. objective is clear, namely to achieve £4.81 million of cashable and productivity efficiencies by April next The reality is that some posts will go. I will do my year, it will take a great deal of effort by the Project best to ensure that our work is delivered both 2011+ team to ensure that we develop workable and sensitively and professionally with due regard to the sustainable recommendations which will both balance concerns of all our colleagues.” Supt Jeremy Vaughan our budgets and also maintain the delivery of a high quality service.

Coming soon...... Beat MAPS

A revolutionary way to identify crime, ASB and incidents is to be rolled out across the force. Beat Maps will give you a map of your local area showing you the location of crimes, incidents and antisocial behaviour. This valuable tool will help you make informed decisions, reduce your time spent trawling Force systems for recent operational information. This will give you less time on the computer and more time concentrating on what’s important, making you better informed and more available. Additional features will include location searching by address, person or coordinates. In addition to crime, ASB and incidents, Beat Maps will be able to provide intelligence data and allow you to filter you searches between dates, days and times all of which can be provided in a summary report with the click of your mouse. Adrian Brotherton, GIS Manager for iGroup said: “With a few clicks of a mouse, officers and staff will not only be able to view the time offences and incidents have occurred but actually see the Further information regarding the development of the geographical location of these events at street level. The main aim ‘Beat Maps’ will be communicated over the next few weeks. of the Beat Maps is to allow officers and staff access to information If you would like further information please contact specific to their role and quickly view what events have happened Adrian Brotheron at iGroup on ext. 05363. in the communities they are policing.”

POLICEAUTHORITYREVIEWOFTHEYEAR

At a recent Police Authority meeting the Chair, Alun Lewis, took and Crime Commissioners is now almost inevitable, but work will a look back at key events over the past year. continue to influence the eventual structure in Wales." These included the appointment of Tal Michael as Authority Chief Mr Lewis paid tribute to North Wales Police officers and staff at all Executive, the major consultation on the future of levels for their effort and commitment in increasing public looking policing and the Government's proposal to confidence and driving down crime. introduce Police and Crime Commissioners. He said: "Further challenges lie ahead in terms of He said: "This again required a significant effort in terms maintaining an effective service to the communities of of briefing Ministers, MPs and AMs as well as our local North Wales, despite severe financial constraints and the authority partners. Our concerns regarding the ability of bedding in of new organisational structures. The Authority the proposed system to provide the appropriate level of looks forward to another challenging, but successful year. (non-political) governance have been communicated to For past successes and ongoing development our sincere the Home Secretary, Policing Minister, Secretary of State for Wales thanks go to all officers and staff of North Wales Police and to and the Welsh Assembly Government. The introduction of Police Authority staff for their continued and effective support."

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Meet the new Chief Superintendent head of Local Policing Simon Humphreys

What are your most important aims in your new role? individual staff as a key part of how Local Policing operates. We will continue to provide a really good policing service to the We have skilled individuals people of North Wales. We need to ensure that although we have who we’ll trust to make the a new structure we work through the overlaps and develop a best decisions. We’ll seek to coherent method of policing that both delivers our aim but also continue this path and ensure ensures that our officers and staff have interesting, challenging staff receive appropriate and and well balanced roles. This clearly involves getting shifts and necessary training and numbers right to reduce the risk to our people. experience to develop. What do you consider to be the big challenges facing Outside work, what are your main interests? North Wales Police in the future? I have a keen interest in music and charitable concerns. This merges As we continue to reduce our budget we need to prioritise our in our Annual Light of Day concert in Colwyn Bay where top rate efforts and resources to deliver the Force plan. Working as one American artists play with our own Mike Peters to raise funds for team will really help. We need to understand what our role is, look Parkinsons’ research. This is a worldwide event with last years final forward and each play our part. Our way of working will need to four shows being London, Colwyn Bay, Barcelona & Zurich. We’ve change and the “one team” approach is key to success. raised nearly £12k in the last three years. This year’s event will be How do you think you will make a difference? 9th December, details to follow…… I’m working with the Local Policing Management Team to try and Please tell us anything else about yourself that you develop the new structures to be more effective. We’re aware of would like to include in the profile. issues and difficulties (such as radio channels and patching) and After 16 years in Staffordshire Police I joined North Wales in we’re working hard to resolve these to give a good service to our March 2002. I live in Old Colwyn with my wife Mel and 12 year old staff. We are developing the use of professional judgement by son Josh. Meet the new Chief Superintendent head of Crime Services Simon Shaw

What are your most important aims in your new role? What do you consider to be the big challenges facing My initial priority has been to support a smooth transition from the North Wales Police in the old structures to the new. In the coming weeks and months I will future? be doing all I can to support the 2011+ reviews that will be taking place throughout much of Crime Services (CS). I could write pages on this issue but in a nutshell I think Since taking on my new role I have spent time visiting various CS the challenges we face in the departments to shadow/work alongside members of staff. I have future are similar to the found the experience of working alongside staff in a range of challenges we have faced in the past i.e. diverse roles extremely interesting and at times challenging. managing change and ever increasing public expectations and I recently spent a morning shift working at Holyhead Port; by luck scrutiny. However, the cuts we face are much greater than previous I chose a day that turned out to be the hottest day of the Spring. ‘efficiencies’ we have had to find, therefore the scale of the changes It may have been hot everywhere else but at the port there was a we have made, and will have to make, are unprecedented. The bitterly cold wind blowing that chilled me to the bone. To spend challenge will not be made any easier against a background of 8 hours working in such conditions was a real eye opener and threats to our pay and conditions and the potential to see policing highlighted to me the tremendous commitment of the port staff become more of a political football in coming years. that work in those conditions (and often much worse) day in How do you think you will make a difference? day out. My job is to ensure our structure, policies and culture enable our My work shadowing visits will continue as it is important that staff to deliver the very best service we can. If I do my job correctly I understand, and where possible, experience the challenges we others will be better able to do theirs. face. Many of these challenges are beyond our control but others are entirely of our own making. Throughout all my visits I have Outside work, what are your main interests? been impressed by the knowledge, dedication and enthusiasm of Outside work my life is as hectic as my time in work. I have a large our staff. My aim as Head of CS is to tap into that expert family and spend a lot of time looking after grandchildren. I am an knowledge, dedication and enthusiasm to develop a culture where active member of a local church, I play football (badly) to try and all members of staff feel able to highlight issues that are barriers keep fit and I have recently taken up running again. Last year I to them getting the job done. I also want them to feel confident bought an old narrow boat so any spare time is spent repairing it. that they can and should contribute new ideas and suggestions In between repair projects, if the sun is shining, you will see me about how improvements can be made. crashing it around the Shropshire Union Canal!

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Bobbies on bikes 8ways St Asaph based PC's Mark Jones, Pete Doran, 8Ways - Change your Life, a new Vinny Jones and Mark Lightfoot raised £300 for integrated offender management the British Heart Foundation by joining hundreds scheme, was launched in Conwy of other cyclists on a 30 mile fundraising event in and Denbighshire in April. May which started and finished in Rhyl and The scheme, involving North Wales Police, Probation, ARCH passed through Rhuddlan, Moelfre and St George. Initiatives Cymru and Mental Health teams, focuses on Mark said: “Although we meet monthly for a persistent offenders to help them tackle the issues behind cycle ride, this was the first time that we’ve taken their crimes.

News in brief part in an organised event and cycled more than Sergeant Jonny Hill said: "Engaging with the 8Ways project is 20 miles in a ride! When we saw the BHF event about helping to change people's lives for the better. It also advertised we decided to participate - not only as helps communities by addressing those who persistently cause it was a challenge, but also as it is a very problems and by reducing the cost of this offending." worthwhile cause, we all know of someone who has been affected by heart disease. We The eight areas in which offenders receive help and support completed the ride in two hours 40 minutes and are drugs, alcohol, accommodation, children and families; believe we’ve raised around £300 in the process. finance, benefits and debts; mental and physical health; We really enjoyed the day and are intent on attitudes, thinking and behaviour; education, training and taking part in similar events in future.” employment. For more information contact Jonny on 07800 666 063 or 01492 524 033.

Star backing for bike leaflet Hollywood actor Michael Sheen is urging bikers in Wales to slow down and stay safe. The Welsh actor launched the Ride Wales leaflet as part of the Wales By Bike campaign, set up to tackle the high number of Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme motorbike fatalities and funded by Go Safe. The leaflet gives tops tips for staying safe, information on the common causes This scheme rolled out across Wales on 1st April. of accidents and training advice. In simple terms it allows any person to make an application to the police if they have concerns In North Wales in 2010 a total of 20 people were killed on regarding an individual who has contact with local roads, eight of those were motorcyclists. children. It must be stressed that the scheme should not be confused with calls from the public concerning immediate risk to a child's safety. These instances will still be dealt with by recognised safeguarding procedures. The principal aim is to provide parents, guardians and carers with information that will enable them to better safeguard their child's safety and welfare. Any person can make an application to the police to ascertain if a subject, who has some form of contact with children, has a child sex conviction.

An NCalt training package which will take The photograph shows (from left to right): Superintendent Gary Ashton – North Wales Police, about 45 minutes has been designed to inform Jim Moore Partnership Manager GoSafe, Holywood star Michael Sheen, Sergeant John Roberts – North Wales Police and Paul Cheshire – North Wales Bike Safe Co-ordinator. you of the scheme.

Seat belt results Over 2,000 motorists across Wales were prosecuted for not wearing a seatbelt in February's all Wales Seatbelt Campaign. During the month long campaign, which kicked off with a two week education and awareness phase, a total of 2,224 seatbelt offences were detected. In North Wales a total of 209 offenders were caught. North Wales Police also launched the month-long Summer Anti Drink / Drug Driving Campaign in Caernarfon on Wednesday, 1st June.

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Jon Aspinall hero Education on the move When Acting Inspector Jon Kitted out with high tech equipment to catch the eye of young Aspinall was off duty the motorists The Van is the latest tool being used to drive home last thing he expected to be the road safety message. doing was apprehending Working with colleagues from North Wales Fire and Rescue offenders. Service, the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust and But as he did some banking Dangerpoint, North Wales Police is taking the eye catching Van in Colwyn Bay he heard a out to events across the region. The Van is kitted out with a commotion outside. high definition multimedia PC, two HD LCD screens and a On going to investigate what was happening he sound system that would be the envy of most young drivers. found a shopkeeper who had just been robbed PC Meurig Jones said: "The Van helps us to break down barriers of £11,000, lying on the pavement. and gives us great opportunities to speak to young drivers." “I could see the two males running away so gave Some of the key messages are about the importance of chase, catching one of them a short distance wearing seatbelts, the dangers of driving at inappropriate away,” explained Jon, who had a tussle with him speed, the risks of drink and drug driving, peer pressure, and managed to avoid some punches. distraction, using mobile phones and careless driving. Jon sat on the man until officers from the To book The Van for a community event contact Victoria nearby Rhiw Road Police Station arrived on the Burrows at Dangerpoint on 01745 850414 or by email at scene to assist in arresting the offender. dangerpoint.org.uk The accomplice, who ran off up the road, was later arrested in Rhos-on-Sea. “I was surprised when I heard the quantity of cash involved and was pleased to have caught one of them and recovered the money.” “I was just in the right place at the right time"! As a result of Jon’s actions the two men, were both sentenced on June 7, to 21 months imprisonment for robbery.

Take care with social The Van catches the eye of young motorists outside Petrolheads Café, Bagillt. networking Officers and police staff need to be extremely Equality Act 2010 careful when using Social Networking Sites and references to their employment. Additional care The Equality Act 2010 became law on the 1st October 2010. should be taken if you are in departments that The act pulls together 116 pieces of employment law and would make your private and work activities of equality legislation under one act. This will harmonize and interest to any criminal element or anybody else strengthen discrimination law covering existing and new who would use it to damage a police member in protected characteristics. The act places general and specific any way. duties on public sector, these duties will come in to force April 2011, This is an extract from the “E-mail and Internet Procedure: "Your private use of social Please be mindful of the fact that the Act will place networking sites, email, the internet and/or responsibilities on North Wales Police as a service provider. It online discussion groups should not display any will impact on each and every one of us and our families and material that brings North Wales Police into friends as we access services within our communities. The disrepute or compromises your own integrity or Diversity Unit is working with all appropriate departments to leaves you vulnerable to threats or ensure both our compliance and development of equality and intimidation”. diversity and Human Rights in line with the Equality Act 2010. Awareness of the changes in equality legislation has been Private social network sites should not be presented at strategic Management meetings. A brief is accessed whilst at work or from your networked available on the Diversity Unit Web Site. Further information work computer. on how it will affect you in your day to day work will be provided via on going training through out the coming year.

For further information on the above item please contact Greg News in brief George or Susan Davison Force Diversity Unit Force HQ

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WORKING TOGETHER

The five North West of England and North Wales Police • The development of regional training plans and Authorities and Police Forces are coming together to work on coordination of training events. Air Support; Forensic Services; Firearms; Public Order Policing; and Learning & Development. • The regional coordination of Continuous Professional Development for Firearms Commanders. Inspector Steve Jones is leading the North West Air Operations Group which goes live on July 18. Further collaboration opportunities within this business area may be considered when the above objectives have been The Group, with helicopters at Rhuddlan, Hawarden, Barton and achieved. Warton, will be run by a command and control centre alongside the M6 in Netwon le Willows. PUBLIC ORDER Steve said: "The new set up makes the whole area a boundary free zone. The helicopter nearest to any incident will be sent, • Establish agreed frameworks for the recording of data regardless of which Force area it is in. The way in which we • Develop a Regional Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment activate air support will also change, with the decision on

whether or not to deploy and if so, which aircraft should be used, • Review all role profiles to establish common being made at a new control centre, the Highways Agency regional definitions Regional Control Centre on the M6. "

• Create Regional Training Plans to cover all aspects of public order policing (taking into account local need e.g. travel times etc) The way in which we activate air support “ will also change, with the decision on • The regional coordination of Command training whether or not to deploy and if so, which and accreditation “aircraft should be used, being made at a • The creation of a Regional Training Team for public order tactics new control centre, the Highways Agency Regional Control Centre on the M6. LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT The aircraft will all be regional assets and the new structure will provide 24/7 coverage. Learning and Development has been identified as a priority consideration for regional collaboration. It will also align the North West and North Wales region with the aims and objectives of the National Police Air Support project • Undertake mapping and analysis of common which seeks to introduce a national structure from April 2012 training programmes to facilitate regional planning, onwards. share resources and reduce costs Caroline Fenner, North Wales Police's Scientific Support • The development of common management information Manager, has been appointed Director of North West/North systems to create a regional strategy with agreed Wales Regional Forensic Services, looking at opportunities across outcomes and benefits the full range of forensic provision including the potential to bring a number of currently outsourced services in-house at a To scope the potential for: regional level. • Creation of regional training facilities A high level review of Forensic Services is now underway. The • Rationalisation of training facilities across forces secondment is for a period of 12 months however, It is envisaged that this process may take up to three years to complete and will • Delegation of L&D function to other forces / organisations seek to improve or at least maintain current standards in forensic services provision, whilst reducing the cost to the region. • Adoption of self service requests across forces Similar groups have been set up for the other business, • Adoption of shared e-learning portal and content looking at the following: across forces • Aggregate demand / shared procurement of FIREARMS external training • A Regional Firearms Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment • Regional development and standardisation of national curricula • The creation of a Regional Firearms Policy and Compliance Structure • Align L&D with workforce planning within forces

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FEDERATIONVIEWSFROMTHEEXECUTIVE

Quite some time ago I worked out that in my As I picked up Chris’ initial draft of this edition I current role I was afforded at least one unfair could see some slick corporate articles, followed advantage over some of my colleagues who by several articles by way of 2011+ updates. submit articles as I usually get mine ready I was concerned about how to set these after reading theirs, some of you will alongside all the other views expressed by appreciate how in recent years that ability to Officers on the wide range of topics for the get the final word has been priceless. publication. On this occasion I found however that several In reality there is an acceptance in all of the other people had already updated you in respect articles that we are still in the early days and of the latest developments in relation to Police that things will need to adapt as we uncover Officer pay and conditions, as well as our them and accept that there are difficulties. National Conference. Whilst not Since “go live” there have been a number of In fact, Chris Warner, Mel Jones and others had issues identified by Officers and local claiming the credit produced interim newsletters on both topics to Federation Representatives from across the ensure that you were given every opportunity of or responsibility for Force area. finding the latest facts shortly after they much of the data, emerged. As a Federation Joint Branch Board we are fully charts, graphs and committed to taking these forward on your I had missed out on selecting an “easy option” behalf and have already engaged the Chief analysis, I did find and was looking around for an angle to pursue Officers, Commanders and Project Team in in relation to the launch of our new policing myself operating as relation to: model on 4th May. something of a K Staffing Levels For over 12 months I have been a member of the “critical friend” for 2011+ Project Board which was the main driving K Airwave Communications force behind the recent changes to local policing K Duties and Resource Planning the various and I was given the opportunity to be involved K Selection Processes members of the with a wide range of work aimed at re-designing review teams and the Force in the face of diminishing budgets and The response from all parties to date has been resources. extremely positive and there is clearly a desire at times I think from everybody to get it right. Whilst not claiming the credit or responsibility those involved will I fully appreciate that this leaves some Officers for much of the data, charts, graphs and agree that I analysis, I did find myself operating as coping with interim solutions, but I can assure something of a “critical friend” for the various you that there is a lot of work going on focussed stretched the term members of the review teams and at times I upon improving things for you as quickly as possible. “friend” almost to think those involved will agree that I stretched breaking point. the term “friend” almost to breaking point. Many of the problems highlighted to date have I wanted to make it clear that as a Federation led to improvements in a range of processes Representative I have been fully engaged with which will make things simpler, fairer and safer the parts of the Project which delivered so many in the future. changes to your working environment. In saying Please keep advising us of the problems at your that I do not expect thanks and actually expect place of work, as armed with the evidence we Richard Eccles some criticism, but this huge change has are best placed to raise your concerns or Federation JBB wherever possible been planned taking into feedback with the most appropriate person and Secretary account the Officers in the midst of it all. deliver you a speedy resolution.

UNISON AND FEDERATION JOIN RANKS

The Federation and UNISON have joined ranks in the campaign onward transmission. The response so far for a Royal Commission on Policing The call comes after the has been exceptional. Governments Comprehensive spending review, the publication of The savage nature of the cuts will lead to the Winsor review on pay and conditions, which proposes the a detrimental service to the public and it removal of almost £500 million a year from the police pay bill and is vital we all support this campaign in furthermore the Hutton report on public sector pensions order to develop a service that is ‘Fit for Eileen Price - UNISON Branch Secretary As part of the campaign postcards requesting support for an early purpose’ that reflects the needs of the and Richard Eccles Fed JBB Secretary day motion for a Royal Commission have been circulated for all community. For more information staff, their family and friends to complete and either send direct contact your Federation or UNISON representative or visit the to their local MP or return to the Federation / UNISON office for Federation intranet site.

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FEDERATION VIEWS FROM THE EXECUTIVE

Speak up and be What is frontline policing? honest Our senior officers and the government say that there will be no cuts to ‘frontline policing’. As I write, we are well into North Wales Police’s new structure for I am still waiting to be told what is ‘frontline policing’. Currently, incident response, investigation everything and everyone can lay a claim to being on or very close to and neighbourhood policing. the frontline. The force mantra is to maintain I appreciate to define it is difficult. Our organisation is shaped by public confidence so it will be a government policy, National Police Improvement Agency doctrine, relief that the wheel is still on and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and local priorities set by just about turning. However, I am the Police Authority to name a few. It is difficult to drop anything not sure for how much longer that without upsetting someone. But it would be helpful to have an will be the case. explanation and just because we may upset people, is not a reason to be clear. When the reforms were being they were taken planned, we (Federation naysayers) A fair deal for Chief Inspectors? from response voiced concerns that staff levels for response police officers would not Chief Inspector colleagues provide Silver Cadre cover – operational and investigation be maintained at full strength. We management of serious events such as high risk missing persons and teams. were assured that response would managing planned firearms events. be safeguarded and frontline Until recently, Chief Inspectors covered this alongside a Our frontline policing was the priority. Superintendent or Chief Superintendent. Because numbers reduced numbers have This week, extra police officers were and some Chief Superintendents were absorbed into a Gold Cadre already been cut. posted into the control room to structure, it has already become the norm that Chief Inspectors It is starting off help make the re-structured control sometimes have to work on their own. room and crime desk work. as a small bleed, In the lead-up to the re-structure, there was ‘consultation’ on the They were taken from response and change to Silver Cadre. Despite representations on behalf of Chief but I see a investigation teams. Inspectors, it was decided that Superintendents will be on call for 24 haemorrhage on hours, and as part of that would work a day shift and manage any Our frontline numbers have already critical incidents that occur during the day. the horizon with been cut. It is starting off as a no transfusion small bleed, but I see a Evenings (when critical incidents seem to happen more frequently) in sight. haemorrhage on the horizon with would be covered by Chief Inspectors. Although some of the Chief no transfusion in sight. Inspectors are very unhappy about this unfair division of shifts being forced on them, the regime is such that they cannot and will not It is too late now but I think our publicly complain (they risk career suicide). Instead, I and my Mark Davies strategy for finding savings should Federation representative colleagues are left to make the point. IBB Chair have been to: In fairness, Superintendent numbers have dropped, and they have to cover long periods by being on call. However, just because Superintendents do a very hard job and are on call for 24 hours, does a) be clear about priorities not mean their working tour of duty always has to be in the daytime. b) allocate resources to deliver them Should you be concerned about c) if any resources are left over, decide what else we are able to do proposed national reforms? Nationally, there have been three reports recently published that will d) if no resources are left and we have to stop doing affect policing: Winsor (part one is an attack on police officers’ pay some things, to inform the public and conditions), Hutton (threatening pensions) and Neyroud (proposing that individuals pay for their training and accreditation to be police officers). I and many colleagues do not accept that we can absorb cuts of 20 per cent without a noticeable reduction in our service to the public. All officers will lose out financially if Winsor’s recommendations are implemented in full. The government and ACPO (nationally) say review Indeed, already in North Wales we do not attend all the crimes and is needed because ‘police pay and conditions are stuck in the 1970s’. events we once did. But we haven’t done much to tell the public about the changes and manage their expectations. At the end of the 1970s, a review of police pay and conditions by Sir Edmund Davies resulted in generous increases. However, police pay Is that possibly so as not to threaten public confidence? Surely we had been so bad that many officers had to take several jobs to owe it to the public to tell them how it really is? maintain a living wage. Few people wanted to join the police and many were leaving the service.

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“...I feel that I have no value anymore. My morale is shot. If the government of the day do not In 1993, the Conservatives sponsored an inquiry by Sir Patrick support us, why did I take that Sheehy. He recommended cuts to pay and allowances, and fewer oath?". officers. Some recommendations were introduced, many allowances were removed, but the pay cuts were avoided. These are the words of a North Wales Police Officer that were recently The Labour government then shortened pay scales and introduced published amongst officers around a new final pay increment, CRTP (competency related threshold England and Wales on our National Rod Llewellyn-Jones payment). Along with Special Priority Payments (SPP) and bonuses, Police Federation website. JBB Chair it was intended to recognise skills, competency and performance, rather than just length of service. Does the sentiment sound familiar? Does it hit home with how you are feeling? Now, Tom Winsor proposes scrapping these and introducing an Expertise and Professional Accreditation Allowance (SPP under a Since the latest coalition government changed, it claimed different name and with a smaller value) and a shift allowance ‘to horrendous over expenditure by the previous government and recognise those at the frontline’. He and the current government announced there would have to be considerable tightening of and ACPO claim that Winsor’s proposals acknowledge skills and belts, yes we expected our belts would get tighter, but around performance rather than just length of service and rank. our waists not around our necks!! Then they launched their biggest bombshells at us, first Winsor Working shifts is not the only measure of ‘the frontline’. Indeed, brutally attacking our pay and then just in case there was any officers do not always have a choice whether they are in a role that modicum of morale left, Hutton landed a full hit at our future works shifts. So it is possibly less fair to reward shift working than hopes crippling our pensions, the very essence of what officers length of service. Officers have some control over length of service plan their post retirement life on! – if they are incompetent they can be dismissed or if they have had enough, they can resign. they launched their biggest bombshells at ACPO’s stand on the cuts us, first Winsor brutally attacking our pay and then just in case there was any modicum UK military generals and leaders have been very vocal about the impact of cuts on their staff and warning about the reduced of morale left, Hutton landed a full hit at our effectiveness on the nation’s defence. future hopes crippling our pensions Some Chief Police Officers are similarly vocal, but mainly those toeing the government line, like Peter Fahy, get reported. “Don’t worry about all that cash”, the government said, “We can make you work till 60 so you do need that commutation as Our Joint Branch Board Secretary asked Mr Polin for his views. Mr you will still be employed!” Polin said he “…appreciates the financial challenges that some of your members face should Tom Winsor’s recommendations be When you consider what minor cuts other public services have adopted…” been given, why does the government hate their police officers so much? Mr Polin added: “...the Chief Officer team here feel that any savings must be used to moderate the impact of planned staff reductions, Whatever their reasons, we are police officers; we are the very people who serve in those communities that hold the and moreover the number of police officer and police staff posts electorate that voted our current MP’s into government. Police that must be lost. officers are problem solvers, quick thinking, able to improvise, “Were the savings to be redistributed within police pay, then the vocational and above all loyal to the communities we serve, effect would be that there would be fewer people in the perhaps some qualities some of our MPs should adopt. organisation to compensate for this, which would undoubtedly We as a federation are asking for a Royal Commission on bring added pressures to an already reducing workforce.” Policing. The design changes in NWP were well under way, with the approval Many of you will have seen the posters, read the papers and of the Chief Officer team, before Winsor published his report. We seen the postcards Please please please, don’t just read the were being told that we were on the way to coping with the cuts postcards, fill them in, get your friends and neighbours fill them and service delivery would not be affected. in. That chap across the road you never speak to but exchange Is Mr Polin’s letter the first admission that he has always been less smiles with, get him to fill some in. confident? That Winsor’s proposals come as a get-out – wage cuts Those people who have been elected by us to govern must could mean fewer cuts to staff numbers and so make the Chief acknowledge the strength of feeling and fear within our Officer team’s job easier? communities. One thing is certain, if you care about policing and maintaining In order for the service we provide to survive we must move public safety, and your (and your colleagues’) pay and conditions, away from a scenario where the government make decisions then you must speak out. Please support the Federation’s lobbying based on the easy target without any thought for the and rally your friends and neighbours to back us. Don’t rely on consequences of their actions, to a Royal Commission on anyone else to do so for you. Policing, an independent body that whatever government is in power has to listen to and not dictate to.

FURTHERFEDERATIONVIEWSOVERLEAF

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THEBIGGESTCHANGESINTHEHISTORYOFTHESERVICE? Having just returned from a very busy and believe it or not, recommendations are implemented. quite emotional week at Conference, I have had to sit back and think carefully about what to comment on. There was some light relief in the form of Gwen Davis and Vera Syme, the So much was discussed down in Bournemouth and I came away original Ladies from Dagenham. If you with an overriding feeling of gloom despite the longest ever haven’t seen the film ‘Made in standing ovation after the Chair’s speech ( please see it on the Dagenham’ then I can highly National site). Paul Mckeever spoke on behalf of us all and in his recommend it. They were pioneers and Sam Roberts own cool and collected way, delivered a speech that together with other Sgt Board Chair cut right to the heart of all the worries and concerns ladies in the factory and we face at the moment. I was proud just to be there. I found the the help of the MP Barbara Castle facilitated the Equal Pay Act of It is quite obvious that the Government and Home Home Secretary 1970. Not only were they feisty women and lovely Office are just not listening to us, despite their dismissive and to spend time with, they charmed the audience platitudes that we are ‘the best Police service in the and completely stole the show with their double world’. I found the Home Secretary dismissive and arrogant and act which left us all in stitches. arrogant and please don’t get me started on Mr Herbert the Police Minister. Despite the way the please don’t get There is no doubt over the next few months that Home Secretary’s treatment at conference was me started on the Federation will be asking for your support reported by many newspapers, it was respectful but again. Watch this space!!! the unplanned silence that followed her speech Mr Herbert the illustrated perfectly the feeling of us all. The recent postcard campaign has hit the Houses Police Minister. of Parliament but we still need you to fill in as On the Monday afternoon I had the pleasure of many of the postcards as you can and send them Chairing the ‘Eve of Conference’ meeting which was entitled – to your MP or via the Fed office. ‘Women officers – Endangered Species’ We face the biggest changes to the Service both nationally and We used the Hutton, Winsor and Neyroud reports to highlight that locally but I would like to reassure you that your local and national not only have the authors of those reports not considered Diversity reps have ensured that your views are adequately represented issues, the impact on women officers could be vast if all across Wales and England.

CONFERENCE 2011 - PAY & CONDITIONS AND THE FUTURE I hope, that whenever possible you were able to keep an eye on reduction in real terms over the next 2- what happened at the 2011 Police Federation conference in years in the value of our wages. The Bournemouth. Certainly the highlights each year are the PFEW Chief Negotiator on PNB, Ian keynote speeches made by our Chairman and the Home Rennie, spelled out what we face, we Secretary. The Police Minister, Nick Herbert attended and he will have to negotiate. must have felt that he had walked into the lions den when As you will be aware, the Home question after question was fired at him. At times he looked Secretary has sent all the Winsor very uncomfortable, but maintained the party line. The fiscal Dave Thomas recommendations to PNB with an deficit and the repeated mantra, “we’re all in it together”. Chair of CBB instruction that everything is done and Savings have to be made he said. Work smarter he said, through dusted by 26th July. Ian was blunt and collaboration on IT systems and procurement, made it clear that when everything is finished, procurement, procurement! there will be no winners. There will be tough Constable David decisions made in the negotiating process and Then on Wednesday, Paul McKeever addressed that the priority will be trying to keep as much as conference and came out fighting from the start, Rathband we can in pensionable pay. reminding the Home Secretary that last year he had appeared on warned her that the country faced riots if the screen and asked The question of the Police having the “Right to government introduced drastic spending cuts. A Strike” was raised, last year conference instructed short but powerful film, of the student protests in the Home the JCC to pursue this if binding arbitration wasn’t London was shown. Paul challenged the necessity Secretary if the achieved. The update - the issue of binding of 20% cuts to the Police budget, when other areas arbitration hasn’t yet been exhausted, but seeking faced much smaller cuts; he said it was revenge on £35,000 he had full industrial rights is a double edged sword. the Police for the past attempts to cut pay and been paid last Yes we might get the right to strike, but if that was conditions failing. Constable David Rathband gained, we would also be subject of redundancy. appeared on screen and asked the Home Secretary year was too We may think that we are being treated badly, but if the £35,000 he had been paid last year was too much? we can still claim that at the moment we have the much? Pauls’ speech earned him a deserved and “X” Factor, we are still a special case. extended standing ovation. Then in total silence, Finally, we have been circulating postcards in regard to a Teresa May, Home Secretary walked to centre stage and repeated campaign for support of an Early Day Motion asking for a Royal much she has said in the past, repeated the government position Commission into Policing. When you get yours, complete one for on how the financial deficit was the only thing that mattered. yourself and share the rest with your family and friends. If you At the end of her address, nothing, no comments, no applause, the want, send them back to your Federation Rep and we will get silence, as the BBC said, was deafening. them down to London, or you can send them directly. We need to stand united with our colleagues around the UK. Please play your During the week we were addressed by Professor Bob Elliot who part and support this campaign. gave an update on the financial situation we will all face, a 10%

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FROM ACPO TO ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS ACPO PA, RACHEL ZONA CHAN

Earlier this year, I saw an article in the Daily Post about Llandudno Town Band (who’s Musical Director is retired DCC Clive Wolfendale) and Record Producer Gordon Lorenz planning to record an album using vocalists. I had sung in choirs and bands and at weddings and funerals over the years but once I got married and started a family, life became too busy and so unfortunately my singing had to take a back seat...until now! I contacted Clive straight away. 6:30am on Sunday 15th May, I boarded a coach along with 30 members of the brass band and other local vocalists and travelled The band, who were incredible, recorded to the world-famous studios at Abbey Road, London. The band, around 20 number one hits from the last 50 who were incredible, recorded around 20 number one hits from the years in Studio 2; the studio preferred by last 50 years in Studio 2; the studio preferred by The Beetles. I The Beetles. recorded “You Are Not Alone”, “Everything I do” and “Somethin’ Stupid” as part of a Rat Pack medley. I was so elated to be fulfilling my dream, the nerves diminished and I enjoyed every minute of it. I can’t thank Clive Wolfendale enough for this opportunity. The CD called “Llandudno Town Band at Abbey Road (with a little help from our friends)” will be priced at around £7 and will be available through Pickwick Records, on iTunes’ website and from band members in July.

Blogberry ... AND this years Award for the best sound bite captured during the recent Force Communication Skills Quote:- PDR completion frenzy goes to……………. I sit on various meetings on behalf of the Mel Jones, Deputy Federation Secretary. Federation both within the Force and nationally within the Police Federation. Evidencing his key bilingual communication Don’t forget . . . skills in the following telling entry he I am able to fully converse both in English and Welsh and have never been adviosed ...send us your stories before epitomised the compelling staff devotion to somebody else does! this annual ritual in his own inimitable style. that my communication sills are lacking

What’s in a name... DAVE WILLIAMS PS115

What’s in a name, or should I say, what’s in a number? By I never met Elwyn. But one day I was walking now, thanks to the letter A & the number 19 I will have the beat in Bangor when a lady ran up to me handed in my uniform in and ended my relationship with the and flung her arms around me sobbing her three numbers that have been part of my life for 30 years. I heart out. Sadly Elwyn had recently passed can hardly believe that it was so long ago that I was away & this was his widow. The numbers 115 allocated the number “115” and handed a collection of shiny had been a part of her life for 30 years too numerals to attach to my tunic. And with these numbers my & seeing them again was too much to bear. identity was created; police officers seem to fall into two And of course Elwyn wasn’t the first officer distinct groups…those referred to my name and those by to wear those numbers; however it seems I will be the last. number; I was always in the latter group. Along with many other collar numbers, mine will be consigned In those days numbers were recycled as soon as the previous to history, replaced by ever higher numbers that seem to lack owner had finished with them. Elwyn the previous 115 had the character of older ones. retired and as fate would have it the new 115 was posted to the My numbers became part of my name & therefore part of who same station where he had retired from. Not surprisingly I have been for three decades. They have been a good servant “Elwyn” became my nickname during those early years. & I shall miss them.

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Calling all ex-members of staff...

Are you a retired North Wales Police Staff member or have you left due to redundancy or Please complete the below form and return it by no later than 10th July to other reasons. Anne Roberts, 27 Porth y Dre, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1LL or e-mail [email protected] If so………we want you…!! alternatively please ring 01824 704472 for further details A few retired North Wales Police staff are seeking expressions of interest in setting up a group for ex Police ¡ I am interested/not interested in joining a retired members group and Staff (NWP). The aim of the Group is, in the first instance, will be/will not be attending the meeting on 13th July. to meet quarterly, to socialise, invite guest speakers and maybe enjoy trips out in the future. I am unable to attend the inaugural meeting but still wish to join the group and wish to be kept informed of future activities. Interested ?? Name (caps) We hope so. Please join us at an inaugural meeting to be Address(caps) held at the Rhuddlan Community Centre in Parliament Street, Rhuddlan on Wednesday, 13th July, 2011 at 7 p.m. (tel. number) Parliament St is just off the High Street – there is a car park at the centre and another public one opposite the (e-mail) centre. There is disabled access. Tea/Coffee available. If you have any suggestions/comments you wish to make please do This is just the initial meeting – future meetings may be include them below and we look forward to your support on 13th July. held elsewhere, but we need a venue to begin with to form a steering committee and exchange ideas. We would welcome any comments or suggestions you might wish to make.

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ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR MATTERS...

CHANGING THE PROFILE OF ASB INSPECTOR ANDY BROADHEAD

In Spring 2010, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Arriving back full of bright idea’s and with of Constabulary announced they would be the view that many forces were on a par with undertaking a national inspection in North Wales Police in terms of the respect of how Forces were tackling anti challenges they faced, I set about seeking social behaviour with a particular the best solutions for our communities and emphasis on identifying repeat and organisation and how best we could involve vulnerable victims. our statutory partners as part of the work. The main driver for this was as a result of the What we clearly lacked was a suitable Pilkington Case review in Leicestershire, system to record and manage ASB. Several which attracted national headline attention options were considered but it became when Fiona Pilkington took her own life and apparent that management on RMS was the that of her disabled 18 year old daughter, best option; staff were already competent in having suffered harassment and anti social its use and it already worked effectively for behaviour over a number of years. crime management and the Force made the decision to develop this further. A national tipping point was as a result of the inquest in Leicestershire over the deaths Where we are at now of Fiona and Francesca Pilkington. From April 1st ASB has reduced from 14 Over a number of years Background categories down to three, to comply with National Standards of Incident Recording. Fiona telephoned the Police Fiona Pilkington lived in Barwell, These are now categorised as Personal, on 33 separate occasions to Leicestershire with her children. The family Nuisance and Environmental and will were described as vulnerable due to report incidents of crime replace the existing Icad categories of disability including Francesca’s learning Rowdy Nuisance/Litter/Noise etc. and anti-social behaviour difficulties. Over a number of years Fiona including assault, stone telephoned the Police on 33 separate ASB: Personal occasions to report incidents of crime and throwing, verbal abuse and anti-social behaviour including assault, ‘Personal’ is designed to identify ASB criminal damage. stone throwing, verbal abuse and criminal incidents that the caller, call-handler or damage. anyone else perceives as either Despite receiving 33 calls deliberately targeted at an individual or Despite receiving 33 calls regarding Ms group having an impact on an individual regarding Ms Pilkington, Pilkington, officers from Leicestershire or group rather than the community at officers from Leicestershire Constabulary only visited her eight times large. and nobody was ever prosecuted. Constabulary only visited It includes incidents that cause concern, her eight times and nobody Leicestershire Internal Review Findings stress, disquiet and/or irritation through were: to incidents which have a serious adverse was ever prosecuted. K The incidents seem to have been treated impact on people’s quality of life. At one in isolation, ignoring the repeat extreme of the spectrum it includes minor victimisation and disability of the family. annoyance; at the other end it could result K It would seem that too many ASB in risk of harm, deterioration of health incidents have been closed without and disruption of mental or emotional contact or additional reassurance being well-being, resulting in an inability to carry out normal day to day activities offered. through fear and intimidation. K The force should adopt methods of collating and dealing with ASB to allow for the identification of vulnerable ASB: Nuisance people, repeat victimisation and prolific offending. ‘Nuisance’ captures those incidents where an act, condition, thing or person causes Prior to the HMIC announcement, Deputy trouble, annoyance, inconvenience, offence Chief Constable Ian Shannon had or suffering to the local community in commissioned a review of how ASB was general rather than to individual victims. managed and recorded within North Wales. It includes incidents where behaviour I was appointed as the Force lead for ASB goes beyond the conventional bounds of and was tasked with looking at how we acceptability and interferes with public approached it and what improvements could interests including health, safety and be made. Shortly after taking up the post I quality of life. Just as individuals will was fortunate enough to be seconded to the have differing expectations and levels of HMIC for two months as part of the National tolerance so will communities have Inspection ASB Team, and could see first different ideas about what goes beyond hand how other forces managed their own tolerable or acceptable behaviour. ASB issues.

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ASB: Environmental To further assist staff in recognising ASB, the Force has adopted the following definitions ‘Environmental’ deals with the interface for ASB and related vulnerability: between people and places. It includes incidents where individuals and groups “Behaviour by an individual or group that have an impact on their surroundings results in:- including natural, built and social K another party feeling personally environments. This category is about threatened encouraging reasonable behaviour whilst K creates a public nuisance, or managing and protecting the various K has a detrimental impact upon the environments so that people can enjoy environment and thereby has a their own private space spaces as well as detrimental effect upon the quality of shared or public places. life of an individual or the community People’s physical settings and as a whole.” surroundings are known to impact A victim of anti social behaviour is positively or negatively on mood and vulnerable if the conduct in question causes sense of well-being, and a perception that an adverse impact on their quality of life. nobody cares about the quality of a Adverse impact includes the risk of harm; particular environment can cause those deterioration of their health, mental and or Further details of the new approach affected by the environment to feel emotional well being; or an inability to carry and what it will mean will be undervalued or ignored. Public spaces out normal day to day routine through fear change over time as a result of physical and intimidation. circulated in due course. effects caused, for example, by building but the environment can also change as a The ASB recording and management Project If you have any questions please result of people using or misusing that Board in conjunction with Chief Officers are contact Inspector Andy Broadhead space. currently looking at a suitable date to bring on ext. 05315. ASB fully into RMS.

NORTH WALES POLICE SEA ANGLING SECTIONS North Wales Police has competed over many years at a national You do not have to subscribe to the force sports association to level in sea angling with some considerable success. The section participate in the shore matches at force level however if you hope is now looking for new members for the forthcoming 2011-12 to qualify for the national championships you will have to subscribe, season. Fishing is both relaxing and rewarding and you may even it is only £3 a month and you can commence a subscription at catch something worth eating!! any time. The shore matches are fished between September and April on beaches between the Mersey and Lleyn Peninsula and consist of 8 matches of between 4 and 5 hours in duration. Anglers of any level If you are interested and would like more are welcome, serving and retired officers and police staff and there details on the section then please telephone are plenty of experienced anglers to provide tuition and advice to or e mail the section secretary Shore Section. those wishing to improve their skills or indeed try it out for the first DC 329 S.P.Watts time. Shore angling requires no licence and equipment does not need to be expensive. Criminal Investigation Department.

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LOCAL NARPO NEWS – NEWYDDION NARPO “To safeguard the rights of members and to promote DENBIGH BRANCH The next Flints Branch meeting will be held measures for their welfare, at the Stamford Gate Hotel, Holywell, with particular regard The new format of first convening for lunch commencing at 7.00pm on Tuesday, 15th to pensions” at the Griffin Hotel, Llanbedr, prior to November, 2011. holding the Denbigh Branch Meeting at the nearby Village Hall (2.00pm) has Ex-PC 587 Huw (Trains) WILLIAMS proved successful at both the April and GWYNEDD BRANCH (Denbigh), Llandudno, on 30.3.2011. June 2011 meetings. Ex-DS 46/446 Richard GRIFFITH Advance notice is given of the Best wishes are extended to Bill 98 (Denbigh), Connah’s Quay, on 8.4.2011 CHRISTMAS LUNCH to be held at Split (Served 6.10.1954 – 5.10.1984). GRIFFITH, Colwyn Bay, following major Willow, Llanfairfechan on 15th surgery and a lengthy period of December, 2011. There will be further Ex-Ch. Insp. Walter MILLWARD, 85 Yrs., hospitalisation at Glan Clwyd Hospital, circulations nearer the date. (Mark your (Flints), Holywell, on 25.4.2011. Bodelwyddan. He has been transferred to Diary!) Colwyn Bay Hospital since 19.5.2011. Mrs. Irene ROBERTS, Wrexham. On Trefor EVANS (Llandudno) is wished a Best wishes extended to Glyn Humphreys 5.2011. Widow of Ex-Ch Insp. Richard speedy recovery following cardiac surgery and Peter Jones of Holyhead. Hywel “Dick 30” Roberts (Denbighsire at Liverpool. Best wishes are likewise Griffiths (Groeslon). Hefin Jones Constabulary – died 1966). extended to Mike 70 Davies (Wrexham). (Rhoscolyn) and Bob Evans (Menai Mrs. Sheila Lovelady (Police Staff), Bridge). A warn welcome is extended to New Colwyn Bay, on 03.02.2011. Wife of John Member David Gwyn MORRIS & Tania, Lovelady, Force Finance Officer and Old Colwyn; and Stella EDWARDS, Old BEREAVEMENTS daughter of PC Oliver Shepherd who Colwyn. served in Liverpool for over 40 years. Owen John OWEN [SOCO], 69 Yrs., IF YOU ARE NOT ON THE MAILING LIST, “Our sincere condolences and deepest (formerly of Caernarfon DHQ) Wallasey, sympathies are extended to all the SEND GWYN (SECRETARY) YOUR E-MAIL on 8.2.2011. ADDRESS TO: bereaved families and friends”. Mrs. Laura Jane JONES, (66 Yrs) [email protected] - with full name & Llanuwchlyn, on 20.2.2011. Wife of Ex-Sgt postal address. 143 D. Roy Jones. RETIRED STAFF REUNION Mrs. Evelyn Catherine PRITCHARD The annual “Retired Staff Reunion” will (Gwynedd), Holyhead, on 5.3.2011. this year be held at the KINMEL MANOR Widow of Ex-PC 196 Hugh Richard HOTEL, Abergele (Directions: off the A55 Pritchard. to Rhuddlan Road roundabout signed “Abergele” and at the end of the west- Ex-Sgt 931 Kenneth HILL (Flints), bound slip road, the entrance to hotel drive Rhosrobin, Wrexham, on 8.3.2011 (Served is sign-posted on the left). The function is 7.2.1951 – 30.4.1983). scheduled for 6.30 pm (for 7.00 pm) on Ex-Sgt 442 Joseph ROBERTS (Denbigh), Saturday, 1st OCTOBER, 2011. Wrexham, on 19.3.2011 (Served A Pro Forma accompanies this issue of the 2.10.1946 – 1.10.1975). DENBIGH BRANCH AGM - April, 2011. FOCUS LINK. The first Hundred Mrs. Gloria Eirawyn (Wyn) WILLIAMS applicants will be accommodated. FLINTS BRANCH (Flints), Mold, on 21.3.2011. Wife of Those intending to attend should bear in Ex-Insp Teg Williams. mind that, whilst the function is free of cost, A welcome is extended to New Member Mrs. Vivienne HILL (Flints), Rhosrobin, the actual cost to the “NWP General Peter A. Cool, Penyffordd; Steven and Wrexham, on 25.3.2011. Widow of Ex-Sgt Fund” is £17.00 per head. Those Gaynor Griffith Caerwys, Mold; and 931 Kenneth Hill (died 8.3.2011. completing the Pro Forma and thereafter Robert Knox and Pamela Healey failing to attend the function will be (ex-Manchester), Prestatyn. Robert & Ex-PC 408 David Elwyn JAMES (Flints) expected to reimburse the £17.00 in each Jaqueline Wilson, Buckley. 55 Yrs, Wrexham, on 27.3.2011. instance.

NARPO CONTRIBUTION TO FOCUS LINK BY GWYN ROBERTS MOBILE 07720 532585 E-MAIL: [email protected]

Lottery draw results: Congratulations to the winners! If you would like to join the force lottery please email me and I will forward the details asap. Many thanks for your continued support. Ian Davies, (Business Systems Unit) Ext 3833 January 2011 February 2011 March 2011 B71506 M W Rogers £679.37 B71781 D E Brennan £683.48 B72474 L M Evans £683.02 C11208* A Cronin £353.84 B71323 A W Lewis £355.98 C10537* E L Jones £355.74 C10759* E W Jones £212.30 B70815 M R Humphreys £213.58 C10970* J D Sandland £213.44 B90898 G Leighton - Jones £169.84 B70927 H G Seddon £170.87 B72780 S Campbells £170.75

*retired

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59716 Dyluniwyd gan Heddlu Gogledd Cymru. Ffôn: 01492 804941. Designed by North Wales Police. Tel: 01492 804941.