The Police Federation is still a ‘force of persuasion’, new chair elect Steve Williams said in his first speech in the role as he made an appeal for strength in ‘unity’.
Mr Williams made the rallying cry to officers at North Yorkshire Police Federation’s open meeting last week and vowed to speak up for what is right.
He told officers at the meeting: “I will take every opportunity – whether that is with the media, with national politicians, with the new police and crime commissioners, to make sure I speak out against what is wrong and speak up for what is right.”
He added: “We still have every reason to be proud. We are part of the finest police service in the world.”
Police officers have seen changes to their pay and conditions through the Winsor reviews and more recently to their pensions, attracting anger across the country which has been a ‘difficult pill to swallow’, he said.
Mr Williams reiterated he and the federation nationally and locally were also angry over some of the changes but that sitting through negotiations behind closed doors he knew the Federation had fought ‘tooth and nail to secure the very best deal possible’ for members.
He added that the service has faced a ‘tsunami’ of changes and the Federation had to be realistic in the current climate though had battled to stop yet more changes which would have been more damaging to officers and the service.
The Federation are now pursuing a ballot on whether police officers in England and Wales want to seek industrial rights - which will close on February 28.
Mr Williams appealed to every officer and their families to join in the fight to ensure the service has a voice and influence what is happening - meeting with MPs and local councillors to add to the message nationally and from local federations.
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