Cheshire Police Federation

In May of this year, Labour’s Dan Price was elected as the third Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire since the post’s creation in 2012.

In this episode, he tells host Andrew Simpson how he intends to approach the role and what it’s like to start a new job while in the public eye.

Cheshire Police Federation chairman, Jamie Thompson, talks too about the branch’s relationship with PCCs past and present, and describes ways they can help each other.

Both guests also answer the question; how do police officers benefit when the two identify a common purpose?

To learn more about the Police and Crime Commissioner’s work, visit his website.

Previous episodes like this one

Being valued matters: why police say their mood is low

It’s good to talk, especially if people want to listen

Keep the faith; on regaining the public’s trust in policing

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Fill in the enquiry form on our website or follow us on X at @CheshirePolFed

Every year, police officers are asked how they feel.

And since the coronavirus pandemic, their answer has been the same: morale is lower than before.

The Police Federation of England and Wales’ annual Pay and Morale Survey seeks members’ views on pay and conditions, as well as their attitudes to work and the police service in general.

Host Andrew Simpson is joined by Jamie Thompson, the Cheshire Police Federation branch chairman, to discuss what the 2023 edition’s results reveal.

Do officers from Cheshire Constabulary have empathy with their colleagues nationally?

And what are the risks if police self-esteem isn’t repaired?

Previous episodes like this one

It’s good to talk, especially if people want to listen

If morale is the state of mind, then policing has a problem

Keep the faith; on regaining the public’s trust in policing

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on X at @CheshirePolFed

If you can communicate effectively, then engagement is more likely.

Is that true? The Cheshire Police Federation podcast returns with a conversation about a word that has several meanings.

Branch chairman Jamie Thompson joins host Andrew Simpson to explain how his role demands engagement with different actors on a daily basis.

One such group is MPs; why talk to them? And what are the potential benefits?

Together they discuss the reasons police officers might be more reluctant to engage than in the past, and assess whether withdrawing from the pay review process has been an effective strategy for the Police Federation of England and Wales.

Previous episodes like this one

How to rate a pay offer, with Jamie Thompson

If morale is the state of mind, then policing has a problem

What really is the value of nothing?

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on X at @CheshirePolFed

How comforting is it to talk to somebody who empathises with the way you’re feeling?

This episode explores the power of personal connection, and identifies how that can be applied practically to assist police officers.

Host Andrew Simpson is joined by Dan Lever, equality and wellbeing lead for Cheshire Police Federation, who together with David Cain is ready to launch 4092 Men’s Talk Group.

David is the founder of ‘Prevention Through Connection’, which helps organisations to look after their employees’ mental health.

Dan also shares his memories of PC Stephen Powell, a popular member of the Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs Unit who died in September 2023. 

His collar number provides the name for the new peer support group.

Previous episodes like this one

On seeking support from sources that may not seem obvious

If morale is the state of mind, then policing has a problem

Managing money in a crisis: truths, tips, and avoiding trouble

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on Twitter at @CheshirePolFed

One of the ways Cheshire Police Federation connects to the communities that its members serve is by supporting good causes.

Branch chairman Jamie Thompson tells host Andrew Simpson why doing so gives him satisfaction, and celebrates the benefits he’s seen from doing something for others.

A major fundraising event in the calendar is an annual dinner co-hosted by the Cheshire Police Federation and the Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary, which this year raised money for volunteer group the Nantwich Buddies.

Founder, Liz Parkin, and volunteer co-ordinator, Sara Lamond, share their story and describe how proceeds donated by the police family will impact how they can help those most in need.

To keep an eye on what the Nantwich Buddies do next, follow them on Facebook.

Previous episodes like this one

‘Cops for Ukraine’ and for each other; why solidarity matters

On protecting volunteers and hearing their voices, with Jamie Thompson

Steph Allinson on embracing bravery

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on Twitter at @CheshirePolFed

Following a review this year, the Government has proposed that police officers suspected of gross misconduct should be sacked automatically if the allegation is proven. 

Chief constables, or other senior officers, will also be given greater powers – including chairing a three-person panel at disciplinary hearings – if the changes become law.

What will the impact be?

Dave Howard, Conduct and Performance Liaison Officer for the Cheshire Police Federation, tells host Andrew Simpson the possible consequences.

He explains too why the Home Secretary’s recommendations may not result in bolstered public confidence in policing, and identifies where there has been a missed opportunity to address known flaws in the police officer dismissals process.   

Previous episodes mentioned in this one

If morale is the state of mind, then policing has a problem

If conference instructs, what have we learned?

What happens to a police officer when an allegation is made against them?

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on Twitter at @CheshirePolFed

Police officers have discovered that their pay will rise by seven per cent from September.

It provides respite, but pressure on their pockets won’t relent.

Cheshire Police Federation chairman Jamie Thompson tells host Andrew Simpson what the impact will be on his members’ personal finances.

He outlines too the challenge of articulating a response everybody agrees with, and explains why the method for deciding policy pay awards must change.

The Police Remuneration Review Body’s 2023 report for England and Wales is available to read here.

Previous episodes mentioned in this one

If morale is the state of mind, then policing has a problem

Jamie Thompson on whether this pay uplift is actually uplifting

What really is the value of nothing?

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on Twitter at @CheshirePolFed

Like most of us, PC Jim Clark watched the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a bystander from afar last year.

In 2023, that changed.

The Cheshire Police Federation workplace representative, together with colleague PC Rob Stordy, launched Cops for Ukraine in February with the objective of raising money to pay for vital equipment, supplies, and aid that can be sent to police officers in the country impacted by the ongoing war.

Already, a sum close to £5,500 has been pledged.

PC Clark, part of Cheshire Constabulary’s rural crime team, tells host Andrew Simpson what motivated him to start the campaign and what he hopes it can achieve.

He talks too about the logistic challenges involved.

Want to follow the story?

Cops for Ukraine posts updates on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

You can donate to the campaign through its JustGiving page.

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on Twitter at @CheshirePolFed

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-and-file officers feel about not being able to provide the service they need to?

What part does the Federation, at national and local level, have to play in restoring trust?

Want to find out more?

More In Common’s report, titled ‘Where are the police?’, can be accessed here.

Read Tiff Lynch’s blog, ‘Building public confidence in policing’

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on Twitter at @CheshirePolFed

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 discuss the importance of empathy in the emergency services, and the common challenges to emotional wellbeing posed by working in them.

Want to know more about the emergency services peer community?

Eleos Partnership’s dedicated page is a good place to start.

To join the group, located initially on LinkedIn, click here.

Get in touch with us!

Simply send an email to [email protected] or follow us on Twitter at @CheshirePolFed