Colleagues, it appears we’re already a quarter of the way through the year. The days are getting longer, and the weather is improving, at least down south. While I have some positive updates to share, not everything in the garden is rosy, and I am acutely aware that some issues are weighing heavily on all our minds at the moment.
Force Budget
One of those issues is BTP’s budget. It’s now coming to the stage where our Divisional SLT are offering updates on what the Force budget constraints mean for you, our members.
There is still considerable uncertainty and many unknowns, and I fully appreciate the impact this is having on you. At a recent pre-consultation meeting, I made my views crystal clear: those involved in making these decisions must have a connection to the frontline.
It’s you who will be impacted by this.
The Force simply has to be cognisant of this fact. They must demonstrate understanding and establish clear parameters around this, making clear the policy under which this is happening and advising on the rights of appeal.
It’s clear that stations are going to close. This doesn’t just impact us and the industry but also the travelling public. Communication has never been more important than now. Our members take pride in the work they do. It’s only right and proper that you are communicated with and supported where it’s necessary.
We will have more information in the coming weeks, and this Federation will regularly engage with the Force to ensure you remain paramount in their minds. We have divisional representatives as points of contact for this, and they will also communicate with you regularly. Please reach out to them with any concerns or fears you have.
I want to thank you all for continuing to come out and parade for duty and giving your all throughout this uncertainty. It’s you who makes this force the envy of others.
Meeting members in Scotland
BTP’s financial position was high on the agenda when we met with members in Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness earlier this month. In addition to colleagues from those areas, we were joined by those from Stirling and Kirkcaldy.
Members discussed resources, supervision, and the vehicle fleet, and these issues have already been communicated back to the Divisional SLT. We also discussed the Close Call system (which we’re keen that every officer is familiar with), the Group Insurance Scheme, and the range of support available at the Police Treatment Centres.
We’re finding these meetings extremely valuable and hope those of you we have met with so far feel the same. The Federation must have a strong connection to its members, and one of the best ways we can appreciate the challenges and the impact of the decisions being made is to spend time listening to you.
Our next stop is C Division. We will be in Carlisle on the morning of 1 April, accompanied by local rep Garry Beardall, and in Newcastle on that afternoon with Dave Bentley. We’re also planning dates for Wales and the South-West coastal areas.
Meeting with DCC Sutherland
Another meeting I would like to highlight from this month was that which our reps had with DCC Sutherland. While this forum initially began as a platform for us to learn more about PSD's work and share concerns, it has since expanded to include more general updates on the force's priorities and progress in delivering them.
Mr Sutherland discussed the size of PSD’s current caseload and the systems introduced by the new head of PSD, Detective Superintendent Brett Walker, to improve the timeliness of investigations. He shared concerns about the levels of assaults against BTP officers and spoke about an increase in stress and PTSD-related absence. He also talked about the Force’s recent performance stats and praised colleagues for reductions in high-harm crime, including robbery.
The DCC then took questions from reps, and many focused on the force’s budget constraints. Two representatives raised delays in PSD, outlining several long-running cases that the DCC committed to following up. Concerns raised by representatives about Brewery Road custody and vetting procedures have already been directed to the relevant senior officers.
We are grateful to Mr Sutherland for regularly spending time with reps in this way and following up on the issues we raise. We look forward to continuing in a similar vein with his successor.
New General Secretary
We may be getting ready to bid farewell to DCC Sutherland, but in the meantime, the Federation has said goodbye to its General Secretary, Mark Marshallsay.
Mark retires at the end of this month, having given 33 years to policing. We asked him to reflect on his long career, including his work with the BTP Federation, and you can read that here. I want to thank Mark for his service and wish him well in his retirement.
Ryan Griffiths was elected as the new General Secretary of the Federation at our conference in September. While he doesn’t officially begin the role until next month, he has been spending time at West Dulwich, learning the ropes.
Many of you will know Ryan, but for those who don’t, we’ll be sharing more about him and his priorities for his new role on our website shortly. I am looking forward to working with him to continue improving the service the Federation delivers.
Awards of Excellence winners chosen
One thing this Federation does that I am incredibly proud of is highlighting the hard work of our members, particularly through our annual Awards of Excellence.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations; there was a flurry of activity around the closing date. We ended up with a varied collection of stories, and every submission was read and considered.
I’m pleased to say that a panel of Fed representatives has chosen our winners – well, all but one. I have the privilege of selecting the winner of the Chair’s Award, and it has been a genuinely difficult decision. I say it often, but I am so proud to be in this position, representing you and championing your work. I don’t need a reminder of what you achieve, often in less-than-ideal circumstances, but these awards always make me pause and reflect on the staggeringly good work you do. Thank you.
Blue Light Show
We certainly hope to put on a show at our Awards of Excellence in September, but ahead of that, we are supporting the Blue Light Show.
If you’re not familiar with it, the Blue Light Show is the only FREE cross-collaborative event that brings together police, fire, ambulance, and the voluntary sector. It’s being held at Olympia, London, on 18-19 June.
What I have been impressed with is the educational programme. There are 80+ conference sessions on topics including health and wellbeing, resilience and emergency planning, and staffing and culture. These are being delivered by a range of frontline staff and senior leaders from across the emergency services, and there are a few familiar faces, including some of the team from the Police Treatment Centres.
It’s free to attend, and you can book your place here: https://forms.reg.buzz/the-blue-light-show-2025/btpolfed or visit the website to find out more: www.bluelight.show
I hope this update is helpful. As ever, you can put questions to your local reps or contact us here at West Dulwich. We welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Stuart Cowan - Chair