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.

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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.   

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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.

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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

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 branch’s priorities for 2023.

Want to know more about the Pay and Morale Survey?

The PFEW’s dedicated resource page is a good place to start.

You can read the 2022 edition’s Headline Report here.

Get in touch with us!

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

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 produce results

What is the mood of members heading into 2023?

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Get in touch with us!

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

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 have now that they didn’t previously?

Why is it important that volunteer offices join the Federation?

How has the contribution from special constables to policing evolved?

Interested in joining the Federation?

Special constables can find out more about membership here.

Get in touch with us!

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

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 difference does the public sector pay award make to police officers in the context of rising cost of living?

Where can members go to ask for advice or help?

Is there a need to improve financial literacy in the police and the country more broadly?

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Get in touch with us!

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