Category: News

The Police Superintendents’ Association, Police Federation of England and Wales and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have raised concerns with the Home Secretary about proposed changes to pre-charge bail. Research published today by the College of Policing found that the vast majority of people arrested and granted bail are dealt with in less than three months and only 9 per cent are bailed for over three months. The average length of extended bail was 53 days.  The study concluded that reducing the number of cases where pre-charge bail can be used and limiting initial bail periods to 28 days for suspects could create difficulties for police investigating cases – including violent crime and sexual offences. Statement from General Secretary...

The Association’s National Officers are representing the PSAEW at the National Police Memorial Day service in London. The Memorial Day, now in its 13th year, is an annual recognition of the duty and courage displayed by police officers. The service honours officers throughout the UK who have given their lives in the line of duty and demonstrates to their relatives, friends and colleagues that their sacrifice is not forgotten. It is held each year in one of the four countries of the UK, and takes place on the nearest Sunday to September 29, St Michael’s Day, who is the Patron Saint of Police Officers. This year’s service is held at St Paul’s Cathedral and will bring together colleagues, family and friends...

Policing Minister Brandon Lewis Annual Conference 2016 6.9.2016 Thank you for the invitation to be here with you today. The Home Secretary was clear in her message to the conference how much she values the Association and welcomes the long-standing and positive dialogue that you have had with government. I am reassured that this is a first for both of us, Gavin – your first conference as the association’s president and my first speech to a police audience since I became the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to speak to you today. I am fortunate to have already met a number of frontline officers, chief constables and police and crime...

Outstanding work by Superintendents across the country in leadership, championing and encouraging women, and supporting colleagues has been recognised in the PSAEW President’s Awards. The Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual, are presented at the Association’s Annual Conference. Judged by the President and Vice President of the Association, they recognise the achievements of Superintendents and Chief Superintendents and the contribution they make to policing, to their colleagues and to the public. This year’s winners are: Lifetime Achievement – Chief Superintendent Bob Scully, Norfolk Constabulary Bob has given outstanding support to the PSAEW and its members, in particular on understanding pension reforms and on wellbeing. Bob has been secretary of the Norfolk branch for 11 years and has built effective relationships with...

Police officers in charge of keeping safe the most vulnerable people in society should have a licence to carry out their roles, the Policing Minister will be told at the annual conference of senior operational police officers. Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, President of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, says officers responsible for protecting children, the elderly, victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable people should have training and development to an agreed national standard. The head of the body that represents senior operational police leaders will set out his message in front of new Policing Minister Brandon Lewis MP at the Association’s annual conference in Warwickshire on Tuesday 6 September. His call comes after a report by...

Public confidence levels revealed by HMIC are welcomed but this confidence needs to extend to reporting cyber crime, says Association President Gavin Thomas. HMIC has today (31.8.2016) published the results of a survey of 25,000 people across England and Wales which showed 76% of the public are satisfied with policing. Almost three-quarters said they felt safe in their local area after dark, and 76% were interested in finding out more about policing. Other findings of the survey, which was carried out last year, included: Those living in more deprived neighbourhoods are significantly more likely to feel unsafe and feel crime/anti-social behaviour is a big problem locally. People are twice as likely to speak positively about their local police as to...

With the increasing movement towards evidence-based policing and the growth of study and research about what works, the Association has put the topic on the agenda for its annual conference in September. Leading this discussion will be Assistant Chief Constable Simon Megicks, Hertfordshire Constabulary, who this summer has completed his Master of Studies in Applied Criminology and Police Management from Cambridge University. The course considers cutting-edge research methods and their results in policing, in particular the application of randomised controlled trials. The evidence-based approach is favoured by the College of Policing and the Home Office and has a growing body of research behind it, although it is still very early days in comparison to other professions. ACC Megicks was sponsored...