ALL questions from police officers to Theresa May at this year\u2019s Police Federation of England and Wales conference will be shown to the Home Secretary before she takes the stage.<\/p>\n
Usually the federation conference has an \u201copen microphone\u201d policy with delegates able to queue up and ask their questions of the Home Secretary after he or she has made a speech.<\/p>\n
However all questions this year will need to be submitted first.<\/p>\n
Steve Williams, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: \u201cI can confirm that our intention is to take questions for the Home Secretary\u2019s session in advance, and she will have the opportunity to view them prior to her session.<\/p>\n
\u201cContrary to what has been reported, this arrangement is not so that we can \u2018vet\u2019 the questions, but to ensure that the session produces the most constructive debate possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cConference represents a unique opportunity for delegates to challenge the Home Secretary first-hand and I believe the revised \u2018Question Time\u2019-style format will ensure that the Home Secretary is presented with a broad range of salient and thought-provoking questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the exact details are yet to be confirmed, I expect that delegates will have until the evening before the session to submit questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel we have nothing to lose by offering the Home Secretary a limited amount of time to consider a response to the questions, indeed it would prevent her from saying that she does not have the information at hand to answer a particular question and will provide the opportunity to provide a fuller, more detailed response.\u201d<\/p>\n
At last year\u2019s annual concerned, Mrs May, was jeered, booed and was greeted by laughter from assembled police officer delegates as she stated: \u201cHard working officers should welcome Winsor reforms\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Williams added in a statement: \u201cI also wish to remind all delegates that the Home Secretary attends Conference as a guest and is under no obligation to do so. While we all feel very valid anger, frustration and discontent as a result of the Government\u2019s police reforms agenda, the behaviour displayed by some towards the Home Secretary at last year\u2019s Conference resulted in a deluge of negative press coverage and did us no favours in the eyes of the public and politicians alike.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ian Hanson, chairman of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: \u201cI am disappointed by the decision. This event is a chance for hard working police officers to hold the policing powers and policy makers to account for the decisions they are making.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is also concern over the reaction to the appearance of Her Majesty\u2019s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor at this year\u2019s Bournemouth event.<\/p>\n
The Fed added: \u201cArrangements for Mr Winsor\u2019s session are yet to be confirmed.\u201d<\/p>\n