Joint 2012 Christmas Message to the Police Service from the Police Superintendents’ Association, Police Federation, and the Association of Chief Police Officers. In 2012, policing has been tested at every level. From national operations against serious and strategic threats to the public, down to friendly, visible, approachable and responsive policing in local neighbourhoods across the country, we have been called upon as never before. Yet crime continues to fall, while public confidence in policing is rising. A safe, secure and unforgettable London 2012 Games was delivered, one of the greatest security challenges in living memory. 2012 saw the election of Police and Crime Commissioners, the end of the National Policing Improvement Agency, the creation of the College of Policing, and...
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Bramshill to be Sold Off!
The Home Secretary has announced this week that the Police Staff College at Bramshill is to be sold off. Reacting to the announcement Derek Barnett, President of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales said; “The Police Staff College at Bramshill is a long established, iconic and internationally renowned centre of policing excellence. It attracts police leaders from across the world and generates significant overseas income. It is also influential in parts of the world where the UK is key to developing the British model of policing based on the principles of Sir Robert Peel. In recent years a significant amount of money has been invested to create facilities for command training and the management of serious and critical...
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President Pays Tribute to the NPIA
President of the PSAEW Derek Barnett, paid tribute to the achievements of the National Policing Improvement Agency at a presentation to the outgoing Chair Peter Holland this week. “Whilst I welcome the creation of the College of Policing, it is right to acknowledge the tremendous achievements and the support that the NPIA has provided to policing. In particular, I would like to say thank you to the outstanding contribution by the staff of the NPIA at all levels and right across the country. Their dedication, commitment and professionalism has been remarkable. On a recent visit to Bramshill I was able to witness first hand the sense of pride that colleagues in the Agency have for the work they do in...
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Changes to Annual and Lifetime Allowances
In his most recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced further changes to Annual and Lifetime Allowances in relation to pensions. These changes will come into effect from April 2014. The Annual Allowance will be reduced from £50,000 to £40,000 per year and the Lifetime Allowance will be reduced from £1.5m to £1.25m. As a general rule, the current Annual Allowance limit of £50,000 captures Chief Superintendents on promotion to ACC/Commander rank (either Temporary or Substantive) and members taking such promotions tend to incur a tax liability for exceeding their Annual Allowance. For the most part, officers on promotion to Superintendent or Chief Superintendent (unless they have been promoted very quickly between ranks or have otherwise progressed up the pay spine...
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PM Faces Questions on Future Direction of Police Service
The Prime Minister David Cameron appeared before the House of Commons Liaison Committee yesterday (Tuesday 11th December). The Committee is formed specifically to hear evidence from the Prime Minister on matters of public policy, and includes the Chairs of all Select Committees. The Committee has the power to question the Prime Minister on the full range of Government business and his appearance provides an extra opportunity for parliamentary accountability of the Government’s policy and actions. On this occasion the two matters under consideration were: Future direction of policing and criminal justice Green Government President of the PSAEW Derek Barnett and President Elect Irene Curtis, who were in London on other business, took the opportunity to look in on the session....
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PAT Findings on Winsor 2 Recommendations
The decision of the Police Arbitration Tribunal on the Winsor 2 recommendations has been published today, 6 December 2012. The report runs to 42 pages and can be accessed by clicking the link below. PAT FINAL Award 06122012 -Full Text Headline features of the report are as follows: The PAT have made ‘no decision’ on the Winsor 2 proposal to introduce compulsory severance for police officers in April 2013. They have recommended that further negotiations take place between the Staff Side and Official Side between now and July 2013 in an attempt to reach agreement on this recommendation. The PAT have rejected the payment of an Experience and Professional Accreditation Allowance for Federated officers engaged in public order, investigating, firearms...
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Government Launch Alcohol Strategy Consultation
Last week the Government launched a consultation on key issues in its Alcohol Strategy, which was published in March 2012. The consultation runs for 10 weeks until Wednesday 6 February. The Alcohol Strategy set out a package of measures, including ending the availability of cheap alcohol, ensuring that local areas have the tools they need to tackle local problems, securing industry support in changing individual drinking behaviour and supporting individuals to make informed decisions about their drinking. This consultation puts forward proposals and questions on five key issues within the Strategy: A ban on multi-buy promotions in shops and off-licences to reduce excessive alcohol consumption; A review of the mandatory licensing conditions to ensure that they are sufficiently targeting problems...
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HAC Publishes Interim Report on IPCC & Hillsborough
On announcing the publication of the interim report which takes place on Monday 10th January, Committee Chair Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP said: “The Home Affairs Select Committee welcomes the proposal to allow the IPCC to investigate the Hillsborough disaster and supports the Government’s intention to fast-track the legislation—justice for the bereaved families must not be further delayed. However, there are now a number of investigations into Hillsborough. To ensure they are conducted swiftly and effectively, we are calling on the Home Secretary to personally coordinate the work of the IPCC, the Director of Public Prosecutions and other agencies. This Bill gives the IPCC new powers to require serving officers to attend an interview. However, there are many retired officers...
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MPs Debate Police Pensions
The Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee Keith Vaz chaired a Westminster debate about police pensions on Wednesday 28th November 2012. Derek Barnett President of the PSAEW welcomed the debate saying: “I am pleased that Mr Vaz is highlighting what is a particularly pressing concern for police officers at a time when significant number of police officers and indeed police staff colleagues feel undervalued and that their concerns are not being listened to” In a letter ahead of the debate Derek wrote to Mr Vaz outlining six key issues. The current pension arrangements for police officers are enshrined within legislation. Section 2 of the Police Pensions Act 1976 prevents any changes being made for existing members that would worsen either...
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