23/05/2014

Police Federation Elects New Chairman

Current vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales Steve White has been elected to the post of chairman of the Police Federation, which represents 126,000 rank and file officers.

The 45-year-old's appointment follows an announcement by Home Secretary Theresa May that the federation needed to be changed "from top to bottom" and that she was removing the group's state funding in August. She also said new officers would no longer automatically become members.

This week during the Federation's annual conference in Bournemouth, officers passed a motion calling for reform. It follows the release of an independent review into the 'plebgate' affair that led to the resignation of former government chief whip Andrew Mitchell.

The federation has also been subject to allegations of bullying and intimidation among its leadership.

(CVS/IT)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

16 May 2006
Survey reveals threat faced by police
Around 7,000 police officers have been threatened with a gun and 40,000 police officers have been threatened with a knife while on duty in the past two years, a survey has revealed.
12 November 2014
Release Of Police Killer Described As 'Sickening'
The release of a man convicted of killing three unarmed police officers in 1966 has been described as "sickening". Harry Roberts, now aged 78, has been released from prison after serving 48 years for 1966 murders of three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London.
30 October 2013
Survey Finds Officers Want Change To Police Federation
The organisation representing police officers needs to change, an independent review has found. The review, carried out by a panel chaired by former Home Office permanent secretary, Sir David Normington, suggests that 91% of police office believe it is time for the Police Federation to change.
29 October 2014
Crime Victims Pay The Price For Police Budget Cuts
Crime victims are facing a poorer service because of police budget cuts, according to a new survey. The results of a national detectives' survey, undertaken by the Police Federation of England and Wales, highlights the continuing pressure that detective officers throughout the country are under.
10 June 2008
Police Lose High Court Pay Battle
Police officers have lost their High Court battle for a 2.5% pay rise to be paid in full. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith refused to implement their pay award in full, which has led to bitterness among the ranks. The Police Federation said that Ms Smith has acted unlawfully.