A new study claims trust in the police is fragile, with close to seven in 10 respondents believing the service has given up on trying to solve crimes like vandalism or shoplifting. Among those who have been a victim of crime, most said they are unsatisfied with the police response. How did we get here? Steve Hartshorn, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, and Tiff Lynch, his deputy on the national board, join Cheshire branch chair Jamie Thompson to discuss exactly that. In this episode, host Andrew Simpson asks: How does a lack of trust make the police’s job harder? How do rank ..read more

On seeking support from sources that may not seem obvious Can police officers learn about managing their mental health from colleagues who do similar jobs? The emergency services peer community, an online space to compare experiences and share knowledge, aims to find out exactly that. It is the brainchild of Eleos Partnership and Tim Rushmere, one of its co-founders, tells host Andrew Simpson why this innovation can make a difference. Dan Lever, Cheshire Police Federation’s full-time wellbeing and equality lead, joins them to explain why he is fully behind the initiative. Together the trio dis ..read more

Results from the latest Pay and Morale Survey prompted the Police Federation of England and Wales to conclude that officers are close to breaking point. Many are questioning whether they can afford to stay in policing amid the cost-of-living crisis, and close to one in five respondents said they plan on quitting the job. How seriously should we take them? And what impact does worrying every day about money have on an officer’s ability to do their duty? Jamie Thompson, Cheshire Police Federation chairman, answers those questions as well as sharing how he plans to use the data to identify the br ..read more

Results from the latest Pay and Morale Survey prompted the Police Federation of England and Wales to conclude that officers are close to breaking point. Many are questioning whether they can afford to stay in policing amid the cost-of-living crisis, and close to one in five respondents said they plan on quitting the job. How seriously should we take them? And what impact does worrying every day about money have on an officer’s ability to do their duty? Jamie Thompson, Cheshire Police Federation chairman, answers those questions as well as sharing how he plans to use the data to identify the br ..read more

The way officers feel – about their jobs, how they’re portrayed, and who really appreciates them – has dominated discourse on policing throughout 2022. Branch chairman Jamie Thompson is invited by host Andrew Simpson to join the dots between issues that matter most to Cheshire Police Federation members. Together they reflect on the past 12 months, selecting highlights, revisiting the biggest challenges and identifying lessons to learn. In this episode, we discuss: How successful has the Federation been in its fight for fairness? Why a change in the law is proof that campaigning with gusto can ..read more

A campaign by the Police Federation of England and Wales for special constables to join its ranks resulted in a law change earlier this year. Now, volunteer officers can apply for membership and enjoy the benefits of representation and protection unavailable to them previously. Jamie Birtles, a special constable in Cheshire, tells host Andrew Simpson why that is important. Meanwhile, branch chairman Jamie Thompson explains why his experience as a volunteer shapes his opinion and how the perception of special constables has changed over time. In this episode, we ask: What do special constables ..read more

If close to half of police officers in Cheshire were worrying daily about money last winter, then how do they feel about their circumstances now? Dan Lever, equality and wellbeing lead for Cheshire Police Federation, tells host Andrew Simpson what impact poor financial wellbeing has on performance. And, against the backdrop of inflation in the UK reaching double digits for the first time in 40 years, Tom Howban and Adam Norris from Reflect Financial recommend practical steps officers can take straightaway to ease pressure on themselves and their families. In this episode, we ask What differenc ..read more

The Government has announced salary increases for public sector workers. Police in England and Wales will receive a consolidated pay award of £1,900, applied to all ranks from September 1, for the year 2022-23. The Home Office says that is equivalent to a five per cent increase overall, and is targeted at those on the lowest pay who will see an uplift of up to 8.8 per cent. In this bonus episode, host Andrew Simpson gauges the reaction among rank and file members with Cheshire Police Federation chairman Jamie Thompson. In this episode, they reflect on: The challenge of taking a position on an ..read more

The annual Police Bravery Awards recognise the selflessness of officers who have put the safety of others before their own. Hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales, the 2022 edition was held in mid-July, when a total of 76 nominees from 39 forces were lauded for their acts of courage and sense of duty in the face of danger. PC Steph Allinson was Cheshire’s representative at this year’s event. She shares her story with host Andrew Simpson before the ceremony in London, where they were joined by Federation national chair Steve Hartshorn and Jamie Thompson, Cheshire branch chairman ..read more

The Police Federation of England and Wales lists the benefits of attending its annual conference on a dedicated page of its website. The 2022 edition welcomed attendees in person again, and the Cheshire Police Federation podcast was among guests invited to the two-day event at Manchester Central Convention Complex. Our objective was simple; to capture the mood, and convey those messages that matter most to members. Host Andrew Simpson asked the questions, and recorded the answers, of delegates after they listened to discussions linked to the theme of ‘Fighting for Fairness’. In this episode, t ..read more