Following a highly critical report by the Home Affairs Committee on 13 May and what commentators described as an astonishing speech by the Home Secretary at its General Meeting on 21 May, the Police
Following a highly critical report by the Home Affairs Committee on 13 May and what commentators described as an astonishing speech by the Home Secretary at its General Meeting on 21 May, the Police Federation (the body that represents police officers up to and including the rank of Inspector) has agreed to implement all 36 recommendations of the Normington Review published in January 2014.
The HAC report indicates that a poll of its own members conducted as part of the Normington Review shows that the Federation does not command the confidence of a majority of its members in representing their interests, communicating with the public, negotiating pay and conditions and in its ability to effect necessary internal changes. The report also highlights a number of areas where it severely criticises the Federation and recommends substantial change. These include the following:
Higher standards of professionalism and conduct. The report states that the HAC had heard 'alarming' allegations of bullying and harassment, including of the Chair and systematic bullying within the senior echelons of the Federation and the report comments that 'the police officer's duty to act with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people applies equally to those who serve the police family as officers of the federation, yet it appears that standards of behaviour within the Federation have consistently fallen well short…' In addition, the report reserves caustic criticism for the attempts to target MP Andrew Mitchell and HMIC Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor and the decision to fund a £15,000 a month contract with the Gaunt Brothers PR firm to use "blitzkrieg" and "guerrilla" tactics in relation to the 'Plebgate' affair. The report concludes that 'three of the officers whom Mr. Gaunt advised are now under investigation by the IPCC as a result of their actions. This entire episode does the Federation no credit at all… the consequence was a lowering of the reputation for the police.'
Core purpose. The Normington Report recommended the adoption of a new core purpose, whereby 'In fulfilling its statutory responsibilities for the welfare and efficiency of its members the Federation at all levels will:
The report recommends that this is brought before the Federation's annual conference this month or, if that is not practical, that a special conference should be called to consider the matter no later than the end of July.
Governance and structure. The report focuses on the recommendation of the Normington Report that the National Chair be elected by the whole membership of the Federation and is deeply critical of the treatment by some elements of the Federation of successive National Chairs, undermining their ability to act as a 'strong, single voice for police officers'. The report recommends 're-establishing the post of National Chair with the unassailable authority that would come from direct election by the whole membership of the Federation' to avoid the 'internecine power struggles which would not have been out of place in a medieval court' and that this should be done either at the annual conference this month or at a special conference to be held no later than July of this year.
Perhaps most ominous for the Federation was the report's conclusion: 'we believe it would be best for the Federation to reform from within, with the support of its members, on the basis of the Normington proposals. However, if that reform is not taken forward, it would be derelict of Parliament and the Government to stand aside and watch the Federation continue to let its members down. We hope that, under new leadership, the Federation will agree to the changes as set pout in the Normington Report of its own accord. If this does not happen, the Home Secretary should compel the organisation to do so through the introduction of a new statutory framework'.
Of itself, the HAC report makes for sobering reading but Theresa May's speech to the Federation's General Meeting on 21 May was, if anything, even more bullish. She referenced Ian Tomlinson, Stephen Lawrence, Plebgate and other recent scandals engulfing the police, pledged to end the Government's £190,000 annual subsidy to the Federation and warned the Federation that if it does not reform itself, the Government will impose necessary changes. Having taken the stage to polite applause, she left to stunned silence. Hours later, the federation voted to adopt all 36 of the Normington recommendations. It remains to be seen whether the relationship between the police and politicians repairs itself or whether May's speech leads to further fissures.
The HAC report indicates that a poll of its own members conducted as part of the Normington Review shows that the Federation does not command the confidence of a majority of its members in representing their interests, communicating with the public, negotiating pay and conditions and in its ability to effect necessary internal changes. The report also highlights a number of areas where it severely criticises the Federation and recommends substantial change. These include the following:
Higher standards of professionalism and conduct. The report states that the HAC had heard 'alarming' allegations of bullying and harassment, including of the Chair and systematic bullying within the senior echelons of the Federation and the report comments that 'the police officer's duty to act with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people applies equally to those who serve the police family as officers of the federation, yet it appears that standards of behaviour within the Federation have consistently fallen well short…' In addition, the report reserves caustic criticism for the attempts to target MP Andrew Mitchell and HMIC Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor and the decision to fund a £15,000 a month contract with the Gaunt Brothers PR firm to use "blitzkrieg" and "guerrilla" tactics in relation to the 'Plebgate' affair. The report concludes that 'three of the officers whom Mr. Gaunt advised are now under investigation by the IPCC as a result of their actions. This entire episode does the Federation no credit at all… the consequence was a lowering of the reputation for the police.'
Core purpose. The Normington Report recommended the adoption of a new core purpose, whereby 'In fulfilling its statutory responsibilities for the welfare and efficiency of its members the Federation at all levels will:
- ensure that its members are fully informed and that there is the highest degree of transparency in decision-making and use of resources;
- maintain exemplary standards of conduct, integrity and professionalism;
- act in the public interest, seeking to build public confidence in the police service and accepting public accountability for its use of public money;
- work together within the Federation and in partnership with others in the policing world to achieve its goals.'
The report recommends that this is brought before the Federation's annual conference this month or, if that is not practical, that a special conference should be called to consider the matter no later than the end of July.
Governance and structure. The report focuses on the recommendation of the Normington Report that the National Chair be elected by the whole membership of the Federation and is deeply critical of the treatment by some elements of the Federation of successive National Chairs, undermining their ability to act as a 'strong, single voice for police officers'. The report recommends 're-establishing the post of National Chair with the unassailable authority that would come from direct election by the whole membership of the Federation' to avoid the 'internecine power struggles which would not have been out of place in a medieval court' and that this should be done either at the annual conference this month or at a special conference to be held no later than July of this year.
Perhaps most ominous for the Federation was the report's conclusion: 'we believe it would be best for the Federation to reform from within, with the support of its members, on the basis of the Normington proposals. However, if that reform is not taken forward, it would be derelict of Parliament and the Government to stand aside and watch the Federation continue to let its members down. We hope that, under new leadership, the Federation will agree to the changes as set pout in the Normington Report of its own accord. If this does not happen, the Home Secretary should compel the organisation to do so through the introduction of a new statutory framework'.
Of itself, the HAC report makes for sobering reading but Theresa May's speech to the Federation's General Meeting on 21 May was, if anything, even more bullish. She referenced Ian Tomlinson, Stephen Lawrence, Plebgate and other recent scandals engulfing the police, pledged to end the Government's £190,000 annual subsidy to the Federation and warned the Federation that if it does not reform itself, the Government will impose necessary changes. Having taken the stage to polite applause, she left to stunned silence. Hours later, the federation voted to adopt all 36 of the Normington recommendations. It remains to be seen whether the relationship between the police and politicians repairs itself or whether May's speech leads to further fissures.