How The Federation works
The Federation's structure and the organisation of its activities are specifically designed to meet the Federation's objectives in the most effective way possible. They are designed:
- to enable efficient and productive negotiations with the official side
- to ensure that Federation policy is determined democratically and so as to meet the interests of the membership as a whole
- to fulfil the Federation's duty to its membership
- to meet the needs of a disciplined, specialised and national police force
To these ends, the Federation embodies a hierarchical structure, resting on
the Branches, the very foundation of the Federation. These are organised
geographically into three areas, Southern, Northern, Mid West and
each has it's own committee.
The supreme authority of the Federation is the Annual Conference. Delegates drawn from
the three Areas consider policy and receive reports on business conducted during
the year. Conference may also debate resolutions about improving conditions of
service and related matters or revise the Federation rules and constitution.
The
NEC meets quarterly to take care of the routine management of the Federation's business. It is composed of elected members from each Area, the National Officers (the Federation's Chairman, Vice Chairman, General Secretary and National Treasurer) and representatives from the Senior Supervisory Grades.
NEC and its sub-committees are responsible for negotiating and consulting with the Chief Constable, the MDP's Senior Officers and the Ministry of Defence. The Federation also has access to the MoD Police Committee.
Either the Chairman or Secretary attend meetings of the MoDPC as an observer. This Committee meets quarterly and
is chaired by the 2nd PUS, however the under Secretary of State for Defence
chairs one meeting per year.
Negotiation and partnership: The Consultative Machinery
The Federation's NEC at present enjoys a constructive and amicable relationship with the MDP's senior management. Over recent years there have been many areas where the interests of Federation and Force have converged, and by working together we have invariably achieved together what we could not have achieved alone.
Yet there are inevitably matters on which the Federation's views do not concur with those of the official side. The Federation's facilities agreement with the Ministry of Defence makes provision for various Consultative Committees. These are the primary forum for the official and staff sides to exchange views and information, to negotiate and
to try to resolve any differences of opinion.
There are also specific areas where the coming together of the official and staff sides can be particularly beneficial. One such is the local Health and Safety Committee. Another is the Re-deployment Committee. This Committee arises from the unique circumstances of MoD Police officers. Unlike those in Home Department forces, our officers do not, in the main, stay posted in one particular area, but can be required to move all over the country. The MDP is, after all, a national police force. In these days of rapid change in the Defence environment, establishments are constantly being closed down or reduced. That means there is an even greater call than usual for our officers to be relocated. The Redeployment Committee, comprising representatives of both Force and Federation, helps to ensure that officers are posted to acceptable locations with the minimum disruption to their private lives.
The Federation prides itself on its industrial relations record. We are confident that we show ourselves unyielding on those issues where compromise is, in the best interests of our membership as a whole, not an option. Yet we have shown that we are able to negotiate, to adapt, to be realistic, to compromise where appropriate, and to strive for consensus.
