Political and Policy Engagement
The Government announced a pay rise for public sector workers this month of between 1 per cent and 4 per cent. Police officers are in line to get a 2 per cent increase, with a further 2 per cent increase to the dog handlers' allowance, following the recommendations by the Police Remuneration Review Board. The Armed Forces will receive a 2.9 per cent increase which, it is estimated, will cost the MoD £200 million a year. The Police Federation say officers’ pay has fallen by about 18% since 2009-10 and the rise would come to just £2.50 a week extra for a constable at the start of their career.
The DPF has continued to engage with parliamentarians throughout the summer, having briefed Dr Sarah Wollaston MP following her intervention in the House of Commons that she is considering asking for MDP officers to be granted the power to apply to the courts for stalking protection orders under the new Stalking Protection Bill. The DPF highlighted the role that MDP officers play in the community and recommended that they subsequently be given such powers. Following up on our event in the Houses of Parliament in July, DPF Chairman Eamon Keating is meeting with the Labour MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, to discuss the DPF’s policy concerns in light of the presence of MDP officers in his constituency. This will provide us with an excellent opportunity to build on our political advocates in Westminster ensuring we have politicians who can share and champion DPF’s messages and policy positions.
The MoD has published the MDP’s policing plan for 2018-2019. The Plan says that the MDP’s purpose is to deliver unique, specialist policing; its says that its style is “professional, respectful and adaptable;” its ethical principles centre around respect and integrity, and its leadership standards demand its officers are “inspiring, confident and empowering.” The Chair of the MoD Police Committee, Sir Brian Burridge, wrote in the plan that “the Committee will be vigilant in ensuring that the commandchain and the Defence Police Federation are constantly involved in the journey towards achieving the Chief Constable’s vision for the MDP as a centre of excellence for the specialist armed policing services.”
The MoD also gave praise to the three MDP officers who participated in the Britain’s Strongest Police Officer competition: Police Constable Claire Stott-Barrett from the Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport; Police Constable Josh Haydock from the Atomic Weapons Establishment Burghfield; and
Temporary Police Sergeant Mark Bunce Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston; as well as MDP Inspector Anne Turner for receiving a Special Recognition Award by the British Association for Women in Policing.
