FEDERATION UPDATE FEBRUARY 2020—ISSUE 1 Representing · Negotiating · Influencing Federation Update Magazine of Lincolnshire Police Federation—February 2020, Issue 1— www.polfed.org/lincs 1 FEDERATION UPDATE Magazine of Lincolnshire Police Federation About this Newsletter: Editor: Jon Hassall (Chair) Contents Producer: Sam Bell (Comms Officer) Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: Update from the Chair ....................................................................... 3 Lincolnshire Police Federation Update from the Branch Secretary .................................................... 4 @lincspolfed Update from the Branch CAPLO ......................................................... 5 Your Reps ........................................................................................... 6 Federation Update is the magazine of Local Rep Elections ............................................................................. 7 Lincolnshire Police Federation. Its purpose is to keep our members informed on all Hot Topics .................................................................................... 8-10 that their Federation is involved in, to Lincolnshire Police Charitable Fund Update .................................... 11 stimulate debate on relevant issues and promote member services. The views News from Police Treatment Centres .............................................. 11 expressed in this magazine are those either Federation Campaign: “Man Up, Man Down” ................................. 12 of its component Boards, officers or representatives, unless otherwise stated. Health & Safety update .................................................................... 13 Contributions may be sent in confidence to Equality update ................................................................................ 13 the Editor or Producer (who reserve the Federation Website .......................................................................... 14 right to amend or edit all material as necessary, where possible with the consent Quick Links ....................................................................................... 15 of the contributor) at: Advert ............................................................................................... 16 Federation Update Lincolnshire Police Federation Deepdale Lane Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2LT Federation telephone number: +44 (0)1522 558238 Federation email address: [email protected] Federation Update Magazine of Lincolnshire Police Federation—February 2020, Issue 1— www.polfed.org/lincs 2 UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR JON HASSALL Well it’s strange to write my first article for our newsletter the week that I have announced my intention to retire on 15th March 2020, but here goes! Very nearly 7 years have passed since I took the role of Chair. I can’t say elected - I’ve never been elected, nobody has ever stood against me. I’d say that indicates supreme contentment with my Chairmanship but feel free to express an alternative view! I think it’s time to go- I wanted to call this newsletter “The Aqueduct” as in “What have the Romans (Fed) ever done for us?”. The fact that many of you, my members, won’t know what that is all about is indicative that my time is up. There is much that the Fed does that doesn’t get publicised - for good reason. I’ve visited colleagues in 5 different psychiatric institutions since I’ve worked for Lincolnshire Police. None of those colleagues would want that shouting about. Nor do colleagues really want their peers to know when they are in jeopardy of criminal or conduct proceedings, or performance procedures, or very ill and facing medical retirement, or victims of bullying, or being accused of bullying. But those are the kind of issues that I, and other Reps, are involved in on a regular basis. Of course many of you will never need the Fed but sadly there isn’t a no claim discount for you whilst others earn frequent flyer credits. But you could still get caught up in something. There are many horror stories that I could bore you with - like the officer charged with gross misconduct matters, found - rightly - not guilty, but if they hadn’t have been a member of the Federation, they would have had to pay their own £24,000 legal bill! In short, I still think we are good value. As to the future, I ask that you support my successor in the same way that you have supported me. I wish I could have done more in relation to pensions but for those who have followed my infrequent postings on our Facebook page, and even less frequent postings on The Pension Challenge Facebook page, I hope you realise that I genuinely tried. I consider every Lincolnshire Police Officer to be more my officer than the Chief’s officer! I have always tried to do my best individually and collectively - and I know my previous and current Fed Rep colleagues have tried to do that also. It’s been a blast. Stay safe. Jon Federation Update Magazine of Lincolnshire Police Federation—February 2020, Issue 1— www.polfed.org/lincs 3 UPDATE FROM THE BRANCH SECRETARY BARRY STEELE Phone: 07967 378764 Email: [email protected] Welcome to this, the first of our new newsletters. It comes at a time we are preparing to say farewell to our Chair, Jon Hassall, who is retiring after service of 31 years. During this period he has given some 20 years as a Federation Representative, including 7 years as the Chair of the Lincolnshire branch. I’m sure you will join us in thanking Jon for his unstinting work and passion and wishing him well in future ventures. On the upside I will no longer need to fake interest in the latest exploits of Aston Villa and all things football related, which is nice. As we enter into 2020 I have a real hope that a corner is being turned in terms of the workplace pressures which, in my opinion, are frankly unsustainable. From our position, we have had a ringside view of effects of this in terms of the numbers of officers experiencing genuine crisis, the numbers now on restriction, the numbers absent from the workplace and numbers who have unfortunately had to exit the organisation. All of which, in turn, then increases the pressures on those remaining in the organisation. It is the function of your Branch to not only support these officers, but to work with the Force in seeking to reduce the triggers and drivers to these issues. It is apparent that there is a clear change in tone from the Government in respect of Police and Policing, as evidenced by statements of officer number uplifts, Police covenant, TASER uplift funding etc., but it is fair to say that this is going to take time to be felt on the ground. In the meantime the Force continues to argue for a better deal in the Police funding formula. We, your local Federation, are working hard with the Force Chief Officer Group to identify where we can improve matters in the interim and it is fair to say that there is a positive direction of travel across a number of issues, some of which are detailed on the following pages. I hope you find this mailshot of interest. Please do remember however that in order to represent you, we need to hear your views and thoughts. Your workplace reps are listed in this newsletter; seek them out, use them. The Facebook and Twitter links are also available for public or private chat. Visit the website regularly for news updates, offers etc. Federation Update Magazine of Lincolnshire Police Federation—February 2020, Issue 1— www.polfed.org/lincs 4 UPDATE FROM THE CAPLO PHIL CLARK Phone: 07399 641985 Email: [email protected] My first CAPLO update to share with you all in this newsletter is to give a very brief outline on the changes to the Police Conduct Regulations, as follows. The Police Conduct Regulations 2012 was replaced on 01/01/20 by the Police Conduct Regulations 2020. The emphasis once again is on learning and development and introduces a concept of reflective practice. The significant changes are; Definition of Misconduct The 2020 Regulations now specify that disciplinary proceedings are for SERIOUS breaches of the Standards of Professional Behaviour. If the matter (if proven) would not justify at least a written warning it is not appropriate for the matter to be referred to disciplinary proceedings. The definition of gross misconduct remains the same and states that such conduct is a breach of the Standards that is so serious as to justify dismissal, although a new outcome of a reduction in rank is also available at a hearing. If the matter does not require formal UPP or conduct proceedings then it may be dealt with as Practice Requiring Improvement (PRI) under the Reflective Practice (RP) part of the Regulations. RP &RPI RP refers to the emphasis on learning and improvement. This is a process to be engaged in with an officer’s line manager to address any identified issues. This is not a misconduct finding. Notice of Investigation Officers must be supplied with the terms of reference for any investigation into their conduct unless to do so would prejudice a criminal investigation. Time Scales If an investigation is not completed within twelve months PSD/DCC must inform the PCC with an explanation and updated time scales. Outcomes At a misconduct meeting, the outcomes available are either a written or final written warning. A written warning is fixed for 18 months and a final written warning for 2 years. At a misconduct hearing (for allegations of gross misconduct or misconduct where particular circumstance apply) the outcomes available are as above although a final