THE Police Federation of England and Wales has vowed to take a stand if it feels public safety is under threat, a new report has said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Police Federation will not shy away from speaking out if the safety and security of the public is being compromised. Nor from speaking out if the service the public receive is threatened as a result of lack of funding or resources,\u201d the body said.<\/p>\n
The promise came as the Federation published its inaugural Public Value Report. The report was published as part of the Federation\u2019s new core purpose to: \u201cAct in the public interest, seeking to build public confidence in the police service and accepting public accountability for its use of public money.\u201d<\/p>\n The core purpose is the most significant change to the Federation\u2019s structure since the creation of the Police Federation by Parliament in 1919.<\/p>\n The report said that the loss of 17,000 police officers over a four-year period, and a similar number of police support staff lost too, was having a significant impact on its members\u2019 wellbeing and a \u201cdisastrous\u201d effect on service delivery.<\/p>\n The report said: \u201cIn the face of increasing demands on the service, the impact on officers\u2019 workload, stress and morale became ever more evident. This is already starting to impact on the level of service the police are able to provide to the public, often rushing from job to job, with many officers telling us they feel they are not giving victims of crime the attention they need.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Police Federation has serious concerns that neighbourhood policing \u2013 the source of so much public reassurance and information \u2013 is under threat, as chief officers struggle to make reduced budgets spread to cover emergency calls and neighbourhood policing. We believe this to be disastrous and continue to make clear through the media and to politicians that this is the consequence of the cuts.\u201d<\/p>\n The Federation also said a \u201chealthy, motivated workforce is hugely important in order to deliver an efficient and effective police service for the public\u201d.<\/p>\n The document added: \u201cThe last few years have been particularly turbulent for police officers, as changes to pay and pensions have created uncertainty and low morale. The Police Federation has actively sought the best possible terms and conditions of service, recognising the close link between a highly motivated and well-rewarded workforce, against the low morale that comes when officers feel de-motivated and under-valued.\u201d<\/p>\n To see the report in full, go to:http:\/\/polfed.org\/documents\/Conf15_POLFED_Annual_Public_Value_Report_210515.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n
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