Officers angry at Tom Winsor’s uniform choice
HM CHIEF Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor risked the wrath of police officers by wearing a uniform at National Police Memorial Day.
Mr Winsor wore an HMIC “ceremonial uniform” to the event in Cardiff. Although it is not a police uniform – it “looks similar”.
He wore a black tie suit to the National Police Bravery Awards which followed two weeks later.
Mr Winsor said he was aware his decision at National Police Memorial Day was “controversial” but he wore the uniform as “a mark of respect”.
However the uniform move upset many police officers of all ranks, still angered at the Mr Winsor – a former rail regulator – for his reviews into police pay and conditions.
His recommendations, which included suspending officer increment payments as well as scrapping Special Priority Payments and abolishing competency related threshold payments, have cost some officers thousands of pounds a year.
He has also recommended making police officers redundant.
One officer said: “I think his wearing a uniform at an event remembering the sacrifice of our officers is totally disrespectful.”
Speaking at the event, Mr Winsor said: “The wearing of a uniform in all circumstances is a mark of respect. It’s a respect to the service. It’s a respect to the people who have given their lives. It’s a respect to their families.
“The uniform that I wear today is the uniform of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary. It’s an HMIC uniform, it is not a police uniform, although it has similarities.”
Mr Winsor, pictured with Will Riches, chairman of the constables’ central committee of the Police Federation of England and Wales, was aware his wardrobe decision had attracted criticism.
He told the Constables: “I realise that in some quarters this has been controversial and has been criticised but I would rather be criticised for showing respect than be criticised for failing to show respect.”
Speaking before the event a spokeswoman for the HMIC said: “Inspectors of Constabulary are not police officers, and the uniforms they wear to represent HMIC on such ceremonial occasions are not police uniforms.”
One relative of a fallen officer at this weekend’s event asked all parties to put their differences aside in Cardiff. He said: “For one day a year, this event is about remembering those who have sadly paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“We do not want Tom Winsor’s attendance – or what he wears – being made into a political event. Mr Winsor is coming to pay his respects to fallen police officers – and that is what the day is and should be about.”
Mr Winsor attended last year’s event in York in a suit – although he had been confirmed in the HM chief inspector role, he was yet to take over from outgoing HMCIC Sir Denis O’Connor.
There were rumours Mr Winsor was going to wear a uniform when he addressed the Police Federation of England and Wales annual conference in May this year, but once again, he wore a suit.
According to the HMIC website: “The uniforms associated with the role of Inspectors of Constabulary are not police uniforms – although they look similar.
“For instance, the insignia and cap badge contain the letters ‘HMIC’; the Chief Inspector’s insignia also includes a star.
“From time to time – particularly for memorial and remembrance services – one or more of the Inspectors of Constabulary attends an event in the HMIC uniform. Wherever practicable, this duty is discharged by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, as the senior Inspector of Constabulary.”
Supporting Tom Winsor’s decision to wear a uniform, Nick Gargan, Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police and a former HM inspector, said: “It’s my understanding that the uniform goes with the job that he was selected for, via a competitive process more than a year ago.
“It’s Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector’s uniform and he is Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector. I hope that this issue doesn’t create a distraction from what is always a poignant and moving event.”