Hertfordshire Police Federation, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City (2025)

20/11/2025

Branch chair Luke Mitchell gives his thoughts on the two-day national Police Federation of England and Wales conference in Birmingham.

20/11/2025

SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES CONFIRMED AFTER CONFERENCE VOTE

Delegates at the Police Federation of England and Wales' (PFEW) national conference have voted to introduce a £2 per month increase in member subscriptions from 1 January 2026. This will take the gross monthly rate from £24.31 to £26.31.

In addition, the current student officer 50 per cent discount will end, meaning that from 1 January 2026, all new members joining the Federation will contribute at a single standard rate from their first day of membership. There will be no change to the rate for current student officers.

Motions proposing the subscription fee increase and ending the student officer discount passed with heavy majorities after voting at the Federation's AGM on 18 November.

Find out why the changes are being made and what the extra income will deliver: https://bit.ly/3K7GfGN

19/11/2025

🗣️ CONFERENCE 2025: 'THE TRUE SCALE OF OFFICER SUICIDES IS BEING SEVERELY UNDERESTIMATED'

Policing is facing a mental-health emergency, senior representatives warned at this year’s Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) conference, as new evidence suggests the true scale of officer su***des is being severely underestimated.

The PFEW is calling for every force to formally record all su***des and su***de attempts among serving officers, saying the profession cannot hope to tackle a crisis it cannot properly measure

During an emotional discussion on day two of the annual conference at Birmingham’s NEC, the panel said that inconsistent or absent data collection was preventing policing from understanding the depth of the problem.

Recent work between PFEW and its local branches revealed major gaps in force records. Two of the country’s largest forces were unable to provide any figures, yet the Federation still identified 56 police officer su***des between 2021 and 2024.

Of those, 34 officers were under criminal or misconduct investigation at the time.

In the same period, 120 officers disclosed suicidal thoughts or attempts, with 71 of them also facing ongoing investigations - suggesting a potential link between lengthy disciplinary processes and declining mental health.

PFEW national board member Paul Williams criticised the system: “How can a criminal be arrested, tried, sentenced, and released faster than an officer can have a misconduct case resolved? Officers are left isolated, their routine stripped away, often for years. It's an incredibly lonely place to be.”

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/3LQy4iD

18/11/2025

🗣 'PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING REQUIRED TO IMPROVE STANDARDS'

Following Tiff Lynch’s opening address at this year’s annual Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) conference, delegates heard an equally powerful call for action from John Partington, who spoke of the urgent need for reform across policing pay, conditions of service, recruitment standards, and officer protection.

Addressing colleagues, the PFEW secretary emphasised that policing now requires a louder, unified voice to advocate for fairness, transparency, and the long-overdue recognition of the responsibilities carried by officers across England and Wales.

John explained that over the past year, the Federation has made significant progress toward greater transparency and member engagement. For the first time, members received full sight of the final pay offer before a decision was made - a change the Federation described as ‘how it should be: a two-way conversation, not a closed-door process’.

He said that evidence and advocacy presented by the Federation contributed to a 4.2 per cent pay rise, increases to allowances, improved overnight and hardship payments, and a commitment to address critical issues such as compensation for extra hours worked, shift disturbance, and detective burden.

Later on, John discussed the urgent need for comprehensive, standardised psychological testing for all police recruits across England and Wales.

Day one also included discussions on pay and conditions, supporting officers’ families, and a keynote speech and Q&A with PFEW chief executive Mukund Krishna.

Presentations for the Outstanding Contribution to Women in Policing Award, and the Detective of the Year, were also given.

Tomorrow’s sessions start at 9.20am.

HEAR FROM JOHN: https://bit.ly/43E3j6K

18/11/2025

💡 NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) says Copped Enough has returned ‘policing to the centre of the national conversation’.

Tiff Lynch opened day one of PFEW’s annual conference with a focus on the achievements of the opening 12 months of the high-profile campaign.

She hailed the campaign’s first year as a turning point in the discussions about policing, pay, and officer welfare.

She said: “One year ago, we said ‘enough is enough’.

“We told the country that police officers deserve fair pay and respect – and the people have listened.

“Copped Enough has become more than a campaign. It’s a movement."

HEAR MORE FROM TIFF: https://bit.ly/3JHky0l

17/11/2025

TRAIN STABBINGS BRAVERY PRAISED BY CHAIR

Hertfordshire Police Federation has commended the bravery and professionalism of the officers who supported colleagues from Cambridgeshire Constabulary during a recent train stabbing.

The horrific incident unfolded on Saturday 1 November, when reports came in of multiple stabbings aboard the 6.25pm LNER service from Doncaster to King’s Cross.

Many officers - including those from Hertfordshire - responded swiftly to assist at Huntingdon Station alongside paramedics and armed officers from Cambridgeshire Police.

Branch chair Luke Mitchell said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this horrific incident.

"We also stand shoulder to shoulder with our colleagues from Cambridgeshire and the wider region who responded with professionalism and bravery under immense pressure."

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4ra0g0m

17/11/2025

🎙️ PFEW CONFERENCE LIVE ONLINE

A reminder that the two-day Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) annual conference can be viewed online.

The event runs over two days on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 November.

Conference will bring together senior leaders, policing experts and key stakeholders to explore some of the most pressing issues affecting members.

Coverage begins at 1pm on Tuesday and can be followed on PFEW's YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/PoliceFederation

13/11/2025

📝 STATEMENT

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) roles will be abolished, the Home Office has announced today.

They will be replaced by mayors, their deputies or by police and crime boards in 2028, to coincide with the next slate of elections.

FIND OUT MORE: https://bit.ly/4hYh1XR

13/11/2025

🤝 REP WELCOMES CULTURAL SHIFT AT NATIONAL PFEW

Experienced Hertfordshire Police Federation rep Sergeant Mike Dring says he is encouraged by the changes taking place at the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

A rep for the past decade, Mike said he felt PFEW was moving in the right direction after a difficult and challenging period.

He said: “The Federation has changed massively at the national level, certainly since Mukund (Krishna) has become chief executive.

“In the past, we've had police officers who perhaps aren’t experienced in running a business, in charge of the national Fed.

“It’s been professionalised a lot, and the right people and the right police officers are in there.

“There have been issues with the National Fed previously, and how they've made mistakes on things like pensions.

“We’ve started to put right some of the wrongs of the past, and there’s a vision for the future.”

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/47ORqMp

12/11/2025

〽️ SOUTH EAST ALLOWANCE NEEDS REVIEW

Officers within the Force should receive an annual allowance of around £5,000 to help meet the high cost of living in the county, according to Hertfordshire Police Federation Chair Luke Mitchell.

Luke says the current allowance, set at £3,000 per year, has failed to keep pace with rising living costs.

He warns that without a significant review and uplift, recruitment and retention within the Force will continue to suffer.

“The allowance was introduced to support recruitment and retention in higher-cost areas, but our location means officers are often drawn to the Met or other forces where housing is cheaper or pay is higher. When the South East Allowance (SEA) was introduced in 2000, it stood at £2,000 and wasn’t increased until recently, when it rose to the current £3,000. The reality is, its value has declined year on year,” Luke said.

“I believe the payment must now be reviewed and increased to £5,000. Officers simply aren’t receiving the financial recognition they deserve for serving in one of the most expensive parts of the country.”

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/43ut8WS

11/11/2025

Have your say!

Take the survey for a chance to WIN one of ten £100 amazon.co.uk gift cards

Have your say on Police Family finances

Complete the survey by the end of November 2025 for a chance to win!

We are pleased to support Police Friendly and Metfriendly’s Police Family Finance Index (PFFI) report, which has been established as a key independent input into discussions about Police remuneration for serving and retired Officers and Police Staff.

Please complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSVVHHC

The PFFI report provides detailed insights into the financial pressures and wellbeing challenges faced by the UK Police Family and how they change over time, with last year’s report revealing significant financial hardships faced by Police Officers: https://www.polfed.org/news/latest-news/2025/survey-exposes-financial-struggles-and-retention-risk-in-uk-police-service/.

The Police Family Finance Index captures the views of serving and retired Police Officers, Police Staff, Police volunteers and other Police Family members, so is fully representative.

All eligible persons who complete the survey before 30th November 2025 will be entered into a prize draw to win one of ten £100 Amazon.co.uk Gift Cards. Entry terms and conditions apply.

10/11/2025

🎥 JOIN THE CONFERENCE - ONLINE

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) will livestream its annual conference, giving members in Hertfordshire a chance to follow key discussions.

The conference takes place on 18 and 19 November and brings together senior Federation leaders, policing experts, and policy makers to examine issues affecting officers and the wider service.

The programme of events will feature panel discussions, presentations, and live Q&As.

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell said: “Our annual conference is an important date on the calendar and gives members the chance to stay up to date with national conversations on issues affecting them.

“Key issues to be discussed include pay and conditions, mental health and wellbeing, and the wider pressures of policing

“Conference allows members to hear from the people influencing these areas and shaping the future of policing."

FIND OUT HOW TO WATCH: https://bit.ly/4nQUjSW

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