Unrepresentative Representatives
I think the Home Secretary, Theresa May, has done absolutelythe right thing by ending public funding for the Police Federation, the police trade union.
Because why does an organisation with £70 million in the bank need any kind of handout from the public purse?
A good move if you ask me, especially in the wake of recent damaging revelations over the Hillsborough Disaster and ongoing fall out from the Plebgate affair.
Home secretary Theresa May: "Show the public you get it"
Public funding will be withdrawn from the Police Federation of England and Wales from August, Home Secretary Theresa May has announced.
Mrs May told the organisation's conference in Bournemouth that government funding had already reduced from £320,000 to £190,000 a year.
She said the federation had built up "vast reserves" of cash.
Mrs May also told officers to "face up to reality" on the need for reform of the service.
The money previously spent on the federation will instead be spent on a new scheme called Police First, aimed at attracting university graduates, Mrs May said.
The federation represents 126,000 rank and file officers in England and Wales.
The Police Federation will no longer receive public funding
It has been subject to allegations of widespread bullying and intimidation among its leadership, and was criticised for the way it handled the "plebgate" affair, which led to the resignation of former government chief whip Andrew Mitchell.
Mr Mitchell resigned in 2012 after a row with police officers who would not let him cycle through the gates of No 10.
In her speech, Mrs May told delegates that if the federation did not reform she would pass laws to change it.
She urged it to adopt changes recommended by the former top civil servant at the Home Office, Sir David Normington, who called for federation branches to disclose what money was held in secondary bank accounts.
She said: "Make no mistake. If you do not make significant progress towards the implementation of the Normington reforms, if the federation does not start to turn itself around, you must not be under the impression that the government will let things remain as they are.
"The federation was created by an act of Parliament and it can be reformed by an act of Parliament.
"If you do not change of your own accord, we will impose change on you."
It has been subject to allegations of widespread bullying and intimidation among its leadership, and was criticised for the way it handled the "plebgate" affair, which led to the resignation of former government chief whip Andrew Mitchell.
Mr Mitchell resigned in 2012 after a row with police officers who would not let him cycle through the gates of No 10.
In her speech, Mrs May told delegates that if the federation did not reform she would pass laws to change it.
She urged it to adopt changes recommended by the former top civil servant at the Home Office, Sir David Normington, who called for federation branches to disclose what money was held in secondary bank accounts.
She said: "Make no mistake. If you do not make significant progress towards the implementation of the Normington reforms, if the federation does not start to turn itself around, you must not be under the impression that the government will let things remain as they are.
"The federation was created by an act of Parliament and it can be reformed by an act of Parliament.
"If you do not change of your own accord, we will impose change on you."
Referring to "plebgate" and the findings of the review into the Hillsborough disaster, Mrs May said it was "not enough to mouth platitudes about a few bad apples" in the face of scandals.
She also said the Home Office would use its powers to inspect the federation's accounts, and announced that she would be bringing forward proposals to make the organisation subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
And she said officers would no longer automatically become members of the federation, and would instead have to opt in.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said Mrs May's fifth speech to the federation as home secretary was "by far the most uncompromising", leaving members shocked.
It was met with silence from the audience.
In response, Ian Hanson, chairman of the federation's Greater Manchester branch, said the speech had been a "vitriolic attack not only on the Police Federation but on every police officer in the country".
"Much has been said about professionalism and standards of behaviour in recent times. Today Mrs May went too far and should apologise," he added.
Labour MP Keith Vaz, who chairs the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "What the home secretary has done is go beyond the Normington review and indeed beyond our recommendations."
Dysfunctional Trade Union? (21 May 2014)
A powerful committee of the House of Commons has produced a damning report on the state of the Police Federation, the police trade union, which concludes that the organisation is dysfunctional or 'not fit for purpose' to coin a phrase.
I was interested to read the comments in this BBC report from Jack Dromey, the shadow policing minister, who in a former life used to be the deputy general secretary of Unite, which is also a bit 'bonkers' if you ask me.
Because the report on the Police Federation comes on the same day that Unite is revealed to have given donations to the Labour Party worth £1.8 million, but it seems to me that trade union members would far prefer money their money to be spent on important campaigns and grassroots issues - like the fight for equal pay, for example.
Now if I remember correctly, that's what Ed Miliband much vaunted trade union reforms were all about - persuading the unions to reflect the views of their members and not the political priorities of trade union bosses.
Now if I remember correctly, that's what Ed Miliband much vaunted trade union reforms were all about - persuading the unions to reflect the views of their members and not the political priorities of trade union bosses.
Police Federation needs urgent reform, MPs say
By Dominic Casciani - BBC News
The government says proposed changes to the Police Federation must be made "swiftly and in full"
A culture of bullying is endemic at the top of the organisation representing rank-and-file police officers in England and Wales, MPs have said.
In a damning report, the Home Affairs Committee said the Police Federation urgently needed reform.
It accused the organisation of pointlessly sitting on millions of pounds that should be given immediately back to thousands of officers.
The report calls for full disclosure of its financial affairs.
A culture of bullying is endemic at the top of the organisation representing rank-and-file police officers in England and Wales, MPs have said.
In a damning report, the Home Affairs Committee said the Police Federation urgently needed reform.
It accused the organisation of pointlessly sitting on millions of pounds that should be given immediately back to thousands of officers.
The report calls for full disclosure of its financial affairs.
Steve Williams will stand down at next week's conference
At its annual conference next week, the Police Federation is expected to debate far-reaching reforms and elect a new leader after anindependent report called for top-to-toe changes at the crisis-ridden and secretive organisation.
That report, by the former top civil servant at the Home Office, Sir David Normington, found ordinary officers had lost confidence in the federation amid the complete failure of its strategy to oppose government cuts to policing.
During their follow-up inquiry, the MPs said they had heard "alarming" allegations of bullying and unprofessional conduct.
They said the federation's former chairman, Paul McKeever, who died in office, was the victim of a systematic campaign of abuse, as was his successor, Steve Williams.
The committee published documents provided by former federation officials which allege that they had been victims of "sustained abuse" and bullying by the general secretary, Ian Rennie, and an adviser.
Other evidence published by the committee includes an email drafted by Mr Williams, in which he wrote: "We all saw what happened to our friend and colleague Paul McKeever and with a young family I do not intend to let the same thing happen to me."
Both Mr Williams and Mr Rennie are resigning at next week's conference.
In a statement, Mr Rennie said: "The evidence [alleging bullying] is disputed... and was disputed when the incident referred to occurred over 10 years ago.
"It was settled by informal agreement at the time."
He said he had not faced any formal complaints throughout his six years in post.
MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, said events at the federation rivalled any soap opera.
"When you hear stories that the national leadership has been indulging in rival acts of bullying, that is simply not acceptable," he said.
"We need to change that culture if we're going to restore the reputation of what is the finest police service in the world."
'£120 per officer'
The MPs criticised the federation for holding reserves of £70m which it probably did not need to properly carry out its functions.
They said that a halving of reserves could lead to an immediate rebate of £120 for each member.
They echoed Sir David Normington's calls for federation branches to disclose what could be further vast sums held in secondary bank accounts.
Responding to the report, Mr Williams said: "We welcome the Home Affairs Committee's reiteration of the principles contained within that report and of its modernising agenda, which we will be working to implement at our annual conference next week."
At its annual conference next week, the Police Federation is expected to debate far-reaching reforms and elect a new leader after anindependent report called for top-to-toe changes at the crisis-ridden and secretive organisation.
That report, by the former top civil servant at the Home Office, Sir David Normington, found ordinary officers had lost confidence in the federation amid the complete failure of its strategy to oppose government cuts to policing.
During their follow-up inquiry, the MPs said they had heard "alarming" allegations of bullying and unprofessional conduct.
They said the federation's former chairman, Paul McKeever, who died in office, was the victim of a systematic campaign of abuse, as was his successor, Steve Williams.
The committee published documents provided by former federation officials which allege that they had been victims of "sustained abuse" and bullying by the general secretary, Ian Rennie, and an adviser.
Other evidence published by the committee includes an email drafted by Mr Williams, in which he wrote: "We all saw what happened to our friend and colleague Paul McKeever and with a young family I do not intend to let the same thing happen to me."
Both Mr Williams and Mr Rennie are resigning at next week's conference.
In a statement, Mr Rennie said: "The evidence [alleging bullying] is disputed... and was disputed when the incident referred to occurred over 10 years ago.
"It was settled by informal agreement at the time."
He said he had not faced any formal complaints throughout his six years in post.
MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, said events at the federation rivalled any soap opera.
"When you hear stories that the national leadership has been indulging in rival acts of bullying, that is simply not acceptable," he said.
"We need to change that culture if we're going to restore the reputation of what is the finest police service in the world."
'£120 per officer'
The MPs criticised the federation for holding reserves of £70m which it probably did not need to properly carry out its functions.
They said that a halving of reserves could lead to an immediate rebate of £120 for each member.
They echoed Sir David Normington's calls for federation branches to disclose what could be further vast sums held in secondary bank accounts.
Responding to the report, Mr Williams said: "We welcome the Home Affairs Committee's reiteration of the principles contained within that report and of its modernising agenda, which we will be working to implement at our annual conference next week."
Paul McKeever died in January 2013 after 20 years in key roles in the federation
The outcome of the conference is critical to the future of the organisation, which runs the risk of Home Secretary Theresa May directly intervening to impose reforms.
A Home Office spokesman said that police deserved a representative body that was transparent and accountable.
"If the federation is to have public legitimacy, the Normington recommendations must be implemented swiftly and in full," he said.
Shadow policing minister Jack Dromey said: "Change is necessary and it is in everyone's interests for a more open organisation.
"Certainly any culture of bullying must be called out and eradicated. No police officer I know would consider that acceptable."
The federation, which has about 127,000 members, represents all officers up to and including the rank of chief inspector.
The outcome of the conference is critical to the future of the organisation, which runs the risk of Home Secretary Theresa May directly intervening to impose reforms.
A Home Office spokesman said that police deserved a representative body that was transparent and accountable.
"If the federation is to have public legitimacy, the Normington recommendations must be implemented swiftly and in full," he said.
Shadow policing minister Jack Dromey said: "Change is necessary and it is in everyone's interests for a more open organisation.
"Certainly any culture of bullying must be called out and eradicated. No police officer I know would consider that acceptable."
The federation, which has about 127,000 members, represents all officers up to and including the rank of chief inspector.
Independent Regulation (15 April 2014)
In the wake of the Plebgate affair, I think most reasonably minded people would agree that there is something badly wrong about the way the Police Federation goes about its business and if its union branches have developed into cosy 'chum clubs' dominated by a relative handful of members, then Parliament ought to step in and put its house in order.
In fact, this would probably be a good thing all round because it would highlight the fact that if the police require a degree of independent oversight or external regulation to keep their union on the right track - then so do Westminster MPs.
If you ask me, the House of Commons should not be both judge and jury in its own cause when it comes to complaints - and nor should the Police Federation or other trade unions for that matter.
Police Federation on course to reject list of Plebgate reforms
The Police Federation represents about 127,000 officers of inspector rank and below
Police Federation on course to reject list of Plebgate reforms
The Police Federation represents about 127,000 officers of inspector rank and below
By Fiona Hamilton - The Times
The police union is about to reject demands for “top to bottom” reforms, despite a scathing report which found that it was over-politicised, riven by distrust and in-fighting and hoarding secret money.
The most powerful branch of the Police Federation, representing the Metropolitan Police, has signalled that it is opposed to or concerned with more than half of the 36 recommendations made by an independent panel after the “Plebgate” affair.
West Midlands Police, Britain’s second-biggest branch, and other branches have also indicated “red lights” to some of the recommendations made in the independent review by Sir David Normington, published in January.
Among the measures opposed by the Met are a 25 per cent reduction in subscription fees, limited terms of office and the establishment of a director of equality and diversity.
Leaders of the federation, which represents about 127,000 officers of inspector rank and below, have already been warned that it faces reform by Parliament if it does not embrace change. The proposals will be debated at its annual conference next month.
The disclosures come after it emerged last week that Steve Williams, the federation’s chairman, was on the verge of resigning because of bullying by colleagues over his plans for reform.
Fiona McElroy, the federation’s former head of communications, told the Home Affairs Select Committee that she also came under “personal attack” over reform and described a culture of bullying, inappropriate behaviour and credit card abuse.
Representatives from the Met and West Midlands federation branches said that they were committed to reform, but there were a number of the 36 Normington recommendations that they considered problematic.
The Met branch has given a “red light” to eight reforms. It has concerns about a further 15, considered “amber”, while another 13 have been approved. Its West Midlands counterpart has given a red light to three proposals, approved 17 and is working on a further 16 amber proposals. Branches around the country are considering their position before delegates vote on reform at the annual conference alongside national representatives.
Keith Vaz, the Labour MP and chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “I was surprised that there were so many red lights — that was a worry to me. We really need to get consensus quickly. If they don’t, then not only will the public be concerned but some parliamentarians might feel that the only way to deal with this is statutory intervention.”
Sir David’s report said that the campaign against Andrew Mitchell, who resigned as Chief Whip after the “Plebgate” altercation with officers at Downing Street, plus personal attacks on other politicians, had damaged the federation’s reputation.
He raised serious concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability in the federation’s finances, highlighting its secret reserves of £30 million countrywide, and found evidence of “bad behaviour”, poor treatment of staff and underrepresentation of women and ethnic-minority officers.
David Davis, a Tory MP and an ally of Mr Mitchell — who has always denied calling officers “plebs” when they refused to let him cycle out of the main gate at Downing Street — said that Sir David’s reforms should be the “minimum not the maximum”. He added that there should be a secret ballot involving every member in England and Wales.
John Tully, chairman of the Met branch, said that a red light did not indicate opposition to reform. Some of the reforms simply needed rewording or small changes, and the branch would suggest alternatives to others that it found unacceptable. Many of the amber recommendations were likely to turn green once they had been worked through. “We are not opposed to change — clearly there’s a significant part of the membership that want us to change,” he added.
Ian Edwards, chairman of the West Midlands branch, said: “There isn’t a massive resistance to the majority of it. Everyone accepts that we need to be fit for purpose, to be transparent and accountable.”
The police union is about to reject demands for “top to bottom” reforms, despite a scathing report which found that it was over-politicised, riven by distrust and in-fighting and hoarding secret money.
The most powerful branch of the Police Federation, representing the Metropolitan Police, has signalled that it is opposed to or concerned with more than half of the 36 recommendations made by an independent panel after the “Plebgate” affair.
West Midlands Police, Britain’s second-biggest branch, and other branches have also indicated “red lights” to some of the recommendations made in the independent review by Sir David Normington, published in January.
Among the measures opposed by the Met are a 25 per cent reduction in subscription fees, limited terms of office and the establishment of a director of equality and diversity.
Leaders of the federation, which represents about 127,000 officers of inspector rank and below, have already been warned that it faces reform by Parliament if it does not embrace change. The proposals will be debated at its annual conference next month.
The disclosures come after it emerged last week that Steve Williams, the federation’s chairman, was on the verge of resigning because of bullying by colleagues over his plans for reform.
Fiona McElroy, the federation’s former head of communications, told the Home Affairs Select Committee that she also came under “personal attack” over reform and described a culture of bullying, inappropriate behaviour and credit card abuse.
Representatives from the Met and West Midlands federation branches said that they were committed to reform, but there were a number of the 36 Normington recommendations that they considered problematic.
The Met branch has given a “red light” to eight reforms. It has concerns about a further 15, considered “amber”, while another 13 have been approved. Its West Midlands counterpart has given a red light to three proposals, approved 17 and is working on a further 16 amber proposals. Branches around the country are considering their position before delegates vote on reform at the annual conference alongside national representatives.
Keith Vaz, the Labour MP and chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “I was surprised that there were so many red lights — that was a worry to me. We really need to get consensus quickly. If they don’t, then not only will the public be concerned but some parliamentarians might feel that the only way to deal with this is statutory intervention.”
Sir David’s report said that the campaign against Andrew Mitchell, who resigned as Chief Whip after the “Plebgate” altercation with officers at Downing Street, plus personal attacks on other politicians, had damaged the federation’s reputation.
He raised serious concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability in the federation’s finances, highlighting its secret reserves of £30 million countrywide, and found evidence of “bad behaviour”, poor treatment of staff and underrepresentation of women and ethnic-minority officers.
David Davis, a Tory MP and an ally of Mr Mitchell — who has always denied calling officers “plebs” when they refused to let him cycle out of the main gate at Downing Street — said that Sir David’s reforms should be the “minimum not the maximum”. He added that there should be a secret ballot involving every member in England and Wales.
John Tully, chairman of the Met branch, said that a red light did not indicate opposition to reform. Some of the reforms simply needed rewording or small changes, and the branch would suggest alternatives to others that it found unacceptable. Many of the amber recommendations were likely to turn green once they had been worked through. “We are not opposed to change — clearly there’s a significant part of the membership that want us to change,” he added.
Ian Edwards, chairman of the West Midlands branch, said: “There isn’t a massive resistance to the majority of it. Everyone accepts that we need to be fit for purpose, to be transparent and accountable.”
