Police Federation Meeting

I attended a fascinating Police Federation Open Meeting last week. Approximately 300 officers attended, predominantly from my force, with someofficers from other forces present. The theme of the meeting was changes tothe police service. Key elements of this were the proposals to merge county forces into regional entities, and the new pensions and other benefit changes. A well-known journalist, who did an excellent job of controlling debate, chaired the proceedings. It would seem that my force is being pushed into a merger with another force, and that this decision will be formally made by the Home Secretary this Monday. There is a lot of resentment from the rank and file about the proposed changes. Many officers are sceptical of promises that the resulting efficiency will lead to greater front-line funding. A common fear is that this funding will be used to recruit more PCSOs to the force, which the majority of officers disagree with. It was clear from listening to the proceedings that a large number of officers have opinions at odds with senior management and national government opinion. There was a tangible sense that a number of changes are wanted. The primary issue was funding - everyone from the Chief Constable down agreed that the force was under-funded, and this is having a direct impact on their ability to effectively do their jobs.

Learning to Learn

I attended a workshop on Saturday with 13 other new recruits, held at the university where I'll be based. I'd spoken to a mate in the job about the unusual request in the joining instructions to 'think of times when you have been curious, playful and filled with a sense of adventure'. He reckoned that, knowing who was leading the training, it would be lots of hand-holding and reassurance. He was right, but the day was enjoyable and useful, rather than a load of management-speak and new-age twaddle.

The day gave me some insight as to how the classroom-based learning would be conducted, and I was pleased with what I saw. It seems to have been very well thought out (and as they've spent two years preparing, I should hope so too). There will be lots of individual study, allowing students to work at their own pace, lots of assistance where needed and generally a lot more like the university experience, as opposed to the boot camp that is police training college.

Whilst discussing when and how we'd be issued our uniforms, I observed that when it comes to kit, the last person you can trust is a copper. The tutors were fretting that if the boxes of uniform for us new recruits turned up at the station we'd be training at, the contents would disappear in a flash. Quite why we can't make our way up to stores and collect it ourselves I don't know - we had to make our own way there for fitting. The sooner I get my gear the sooner I'll feel that this is all actually happening. It's been so long since I applied that the whole process has become rather abstract. I think the reality will finally hit home when I am attested (sworn in) as a PC, and my warrant card is issued. This is 30 days away.