UPDATED TO INCLUDE RESPONSE FORMS - Having received a significant number of concerned phone calls and emails from our members about the Layers and Spans Review we wanted to set out our position.
We completely appreciate the pandemic has led to different ways of working across the BTP so we understand why the events of recent years have prompted a review. We will return to this point.
One of the most pressing issues for us and something we raised urgently with BTP was the timing of - and length of time made available for - the consultation period for the Layers and Spans Review. The chosen timeline of 28 November to 6 January included the busy Christmas period; one of the most challenging times of the year for policing. We did not believe this afforded the maximum number of people the opportunity to discuss concerns and ideas with colleagues/supervisors and participate fully in the consultation.
Having raised this with the Force, alongside other concerned parties, we are pleased to report the timeline has been reviewed and the consultation period extended to Friday 20 January 2023.
As one of our members, we strongly urge you to participate in the consultation. There are several ways you can do this including via the review's dedicated Sharepoint site (download the guidance notes and response form here, by email, via your line manager, at drop-in sessions and of course, through the Federation. We will do all we can to listen to and reflect your views in the meetings we are having about the review.
In terms of what the Federation is raising during the consultation:
We are concerned about the impact on the travelling public. We must question when this continual stripping of assets from the police service will stop. We can't keep doing more with less without it affecting the end user i.e. the people we are here to serve.
We are concerned about the impact on you, our members. We're already hearing from officers who are seriously considering whether they can afford to remain in the police service given the sharp increase in the cost of living against stagnating wages. The proposals from this review are likely to remove some career development opportunity for our members, which in turn will affect retention levels.
Demand displacement is mentioned in the background material to the review. We are questionning how that will be mitigated if the proposed reduction of twenty Inspector posts goes ahead These supervisors play a crucial role and any suggestion of Sergeants bearing the impact of their losses would be unacceptable. There will be a knock on effect on officers and staff and we need to consider the impact of this very carefully.
This is not just an issue of quantity; we need to ensure quality. The staff survey highlighted that some in leadership roles are not as effective as they should be. We are seeking reassurances as to the training, guidance and supervision that will be provided to these so-called omni-competent inspectors to ensure this doesn't turn into an omni-shambles.
It's important to state, there are some parts of the review we support. No doubt you, our members, have suggestions as to other changes that could create efficiencies while maintaining the level of service to the travelling public we're all here to deliver. Please engage in the consultation and share your thoughts.
As well as speaking with BTP, we are engaging with TSSA and the Superintendents Association on this matter and will report on progress.
Finally, while on the subject of reviews, the CT review is another example of the asset stripping we have described above. We feel it risks going down similar lines as the Layers and Spans review, with officers not having long enough to consider and submit their views and concerns to the process.
Our SPOC for the CT Review is Ryan Griffiths, Deputy Chair of the Federation and C-Division Area Secretary. We will issue an update on this in due course but in the meantime, we welcome your thoughts.
Contact us about either matter on info@btpfed.co.uk
Federation responds to review concerns
