PROTECTING the Protectors, officer safety, mental health and wellbeing will all be on the agenda at the upcoming Police Federation of England and Wales Conference.<\/p>\n
Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, Police Minister Brandon Lewis and HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor are all due to be on stage at the event in Birmingham on 16 and 17 May.<\/p>\n
Zuleika Payne, Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: \u201cThis will be my first conference as a full-time Chair, but it\u2019s also a new look conference as well. Unlike previous years where we\u2019ve seen an agenda over a number of days this will be a two-day conference, so a condensed, more succinct version of conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that vein, it\u2019s really important that the issues we discuss and debate are the key issues that directly impact upon the very officers that we represent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what matters to officers most, so it\u2019s important that in a very short timescale we actually debate and discuss the most relevant, pertinent issues that affect officers right at this moment in time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The need for better protection for officers assaulted in the course of their duties; for those who volunteer to carry firearms; and for those engaged in police response and pursuit driving will all be covered.<\/p>\n
The conference will also feature the work the PFEW are doing in the areas of discipline, performance and improving overall officer welfare.<\/p>\n
Zuleika added: \u201cIt\u2019s really important that we have the exchange of views at conference, that we represent the views of our members, that we are the voice of our membership, but also that we hear from relevant speakers at our conference and more importantly they gain feedback and views from our officers.\u201d<\/p>\n