‘Help the force learn from your experiences’

OFFICERS in South Yorkshire Police have the chance to shape the direction the force is heading in – if they are honest about the real demands of day-to-day policing.

South Yorkshire Police Federation has this week launched a survey of officers, which it hopes will help police leaders inform decisions about the way they change the force.

Officers will be asked to carry out two questionnaires on their experiences in the job – the surveys will come one month apart so the results can be as accurate as possible.

South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Elect Zuleika Payne said: “This survey is the perfect timing and the perfect platform for officers to make a contribution, because we want to know the direction the force is heading in and for the force to take on board officers’ comments and work with that.

“So it’s really key that they respond to the staff survey. They will be listened to, but we want that contribution to help push the force in the right direction.

“We have seen much improved response rates when you look year on year, certainly those who took part, for example, in the pay and morale survey.

“But when officers are questioning, ‘What in this for me?’, this is their opportunity to shape the direction this organisation is heading in, because what senior officers have learned is they have to listen to the frontline staff.

“They are picking this up twenty-four-seven, they are the boots on the ground, and it’s important that managers listen to people in those areas of expertise and learn from them so that we can actually shape the force appropriately.

“So it’s really vital that officers put those suggestions in and tell us how it is”.