Home Secretary Feels The Heat At Police Conference

The Home Secretary faced harsh criticism at the annual Police Federation conference today.

Jacqui Smith addressed 1,000 delegates who were already annoyed at her refusal to backdate a 2.5% pay rise, which effectively reduced the overall award to 1.9%.

Police Federation Chairman Jan Berry said that her decision was "a monumental mistake".

Last year, Ms Smith decided not to backdate to September a 2.5% pay rise for police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

On Tuesday, Federation members voted to lobby for the right to strike against the decision.

Ms Smith said that the move was "taken after a lot of thought" and that the "need to keep mortgages and the cost of living under control" cemented her decision.

Mrs Berry however, praised the Home Secretary for having the "courage" to attend the conference.

"I am sure when your Private Secretary reminded you of today's event you felt like reaching for the nearest stab proof vest - and perhaps slipping into old habits and lighting up to calm your nerves," she said in her address.

Mrs Berry then took a more serious stance and said: "Your crimes have been more for the serious fraud office than the drug squad".

She said that it was "a momentous day in January when 25,000 police officers marched through the streets of London," in their 'Fair pay for Police' campaign but that it also demonstrated "a Government at its worst: Acting with opportunism rather than integrity".

She added towards the end of her address: "Home Secretary, stop making us feel like the bad guys.

"You've listened to our concerns by changing the performance framework but we have yet to feel effects of this on the ground.

"I know we have had our differences but you need to trust us and we need to be able to trust you.

"Get off our backs and let us get on with our jobs."

Mrs Berry also called for an independent review of policing.

Ms Smith attempted to deflect some of the criticism by telling delegates retirement lump sum payments would be recalculated, increasing the amount for many officers.

She also said that partners of those killed in service would continue to receive their full pension whether or not they remarried.

The Police Federation of England and Wales is a staff association for all police constables, sergeants and inspectors (including chief inspectors). It was created by the Police Act 1919, passed a year after a crippling strike by the unrecognised National Union of Police and Prison Officers (NUPPO).

See: Police Vote For Right To Strike

(DS)