“Working through the Police Federation review”
THE Police Federation has agreed to be “open, transparent and accountable” in the wake of the independent review into the organisation.
The Police Federation Joint Branch Boards (JBB) Chairs and Secretaries have been meeting with members of the Joint Central Committee to discuss the Independent Review where there was “agreement in principle to adopt a core purpose” following the report.
Many of the reviews 36 recommendations are expected to be debated at the Federation’s annual conference in May this year.
Neil Bowles, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “We have had an extraordinary meeting of the Joint Branch Board and circulated the full report to all our members. We have also had two very productive meetings between the Joint Branch Board chairs and secretaries [across England and Wales] and the Joint Central Committee – with a third one coming in March.
“We are working our way through the review to see what actually will go to the annual Police Federation of England and Wales conference – and in what sort of format.”
The National Federation also issued a statement. It said: “Many JBBs had already sought the view of their local members [on the review] and the remainder will do so in the near future.
“It was acknowledged that the Police Federation has a vital role to play in representing its members efficiently and effectively and in building public confidence in the police service.
“There was recognition that the Police Federation needs to reform and there was agreement in principle to adopt a core purpose.
“This will be built around the need to be more open, transparent and accountable, whilst maintaining exemplary standards of conduct, integrity and professionalism.
“It was accepted that we need to come together and work in partnership with others to embark on this historic programme of reform.”
Mr Bowles added: “There is a vast array of opinions, but hopefully we can come to a consensus to implement the sensible recommendations made.”