Police Federation of England and Wales
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| Police Federation of England and Wales | |
|---|---|
| Name | Police Federation of England and Wales |
| Formation | 1919 |
| Type | Staff association |
| Headquarters | London |
| Location | England and Wales |
| Leader title | Chair |
Police Federation of England and Wales is a staff association representing constables, sergeants, and inspectors in police forces in England and Wales. It was established in the aftermath of industrial unrest and legislative change following World War I, and operates as a statutory body distinct from trade unions such as Transport and General Workers' Union and Unison. The organisation engages with national bodies including the Home Office (United Kingdom), the College of Policing, and parliamentary bodies such as the Home Affairs Select Committee.
History
The Federation was founded under the Police Act 1919 after events involving members of the Metropolitan Police Service and incidents such as disputes influenced by the wider context of the 1918 United Kingdom general election and post-war demobilisation. Its creation followed concerns similar to those voiced during the 1926 United Kingdom general strike and debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom over police labour rights. Throughout the twentieth century the organisation engaged with reforms linked to the Royal Commission on Police Powers and Procedure, the establishment of the National Crime Agency, and responses to high-profile matters like the Stephen Lawrence case and inquiries such as the Macpherson Report.
Structure and Membership
Membership is open to serving ranks up to inspector and includes representatives from forces such as the Metropolitan Police Service, Greater Manchester Police, West Midlands Police, Merseyside Police, West Yorkshire Police, and territorial forces across Wales. The Federation is organised into branch boards aligned with territorial forces and a National Board that interfaces with agencies including the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the Crown Prosecution Service. Its membership profile has been compared and contrasted with organisations like GMB (trade union), UNISON (trade union), and the Police Superintendents' Association.
Functions and Roles
The Federation provides representation on matters of pay negotiated with entities including the Home Office (United Kingdom), legal support in disciplinary proceedings that engage the Police Appeals Tribunal, and welfare services addressing issues encountered in operational contexts associated with units such as the National Crime Agency and metropolitan forces. It issues guidance on operational safety that intersects with training standards from the College of Policing and contributes to consultations around legislation such as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and earlier statutes debated in the House of Lords. The Federation also provides advice on pension arrangements governed by the Police Pension Scheme and liaises on occupational health with providers used by forces like City of London Police.
Governance and Leadership
Governance is carried out through elected representatives at branch and national levels, with leadership roles including Chair and Treasurer who engage with parliamentary committees like the Home Affairs Select Committee and panels convened by the Home Office (United Kingdom). Past chairs and national officers have given evidence to inquiries and have interacted with figures and bodies such as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and the Local Government Association. The Federation's internal governance structure operates within statutory constraints set by legislation enacted in the Westminster Parliament and interpreted by courts including the High Court of Justice.
Finance and Funding
The organisation is financed by member subscriptions and investments under arrangements overseen by its elected finance committees; its funding model differs from trade unions such as Unite the Union and National Education Union. Financial oversight has been scrutinised in public accounts and audit contexts similar to reviews by the National Audit Office and debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. Budgetary discussions touch on national pay negotiations involving the Treasury (United Kingdom) and the Home Office (United Kingdom), as well as litigation costs in disputes before tribunals like the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Criticism and Controversies
The Federation has faced criticism over its stance on industrial action and public statements during high-profile incidents involving forces such as the Metropolitan Police Service and during civic disturbances compared to responses by unions like GMB (trade union). Controversies have arisen around its handling of misconduct cases reviewed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct and scrutiny following reports such as inquiries into police conduct arising from cases like the Merseyside police murders and incidents prompting media coverage by outlets including BBC News and The Guardian. Debates continue over its political lobbying and comparisons with representative bodies including the Police Federation for Northern Ireland and international counterparts like the Fraternal Order of Police.
Relations with Government and Police Forces
The Federation maintains formal liaison with the Home Office (United Kingdom), negotiates pay and conditions alongside bodies such as the Police Remuneration Review Body, and interacts operationally with chief constables of forces such as Durham Constabulary, Essex Police, and Northumbria Police. It also engages with oversight organisations including the Independent Office for Police Conduct and professional standards units within territorial forces and contributes to national policy discussions involving the College of Policing and parliamentary debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.