- Conference
- Police Staff Conference 2004
- Date
- 9 February 2004
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes with pride the unity that forming our Service Group has brought to the family that makes up Police Staff. We note the strength that unity brings to us and we are aware that we are now able to influence the way we work, our employers and our law makers. Unity brings strength and, in turn, power. Where unity, strength and power come from consensus, good leadership and the use of the democratic process it is a gift to be valued, treasured and used for the good of union within UNISON.
Conference gives its democratically elected leadership its confidence to act upon its behalf and to proceed with decisions decided by a united conference.
Conference is concerned that whilst the Police Reform Act is keen to give extra powers and roles to Police Staff to release police officers from backroom jobs, there appears to be reluctance by police management to let go of the reigns of power. Whatever happens on the ground there always seems to be a police officer, often of the rank of superintendent left in charge of a department, regardless of whether or not they have the skills required by their role.
Conference notes that most forces still have police officers in post as Head of Personnel and also notes the unnecessary number of cases that go forward to Employment Tribunals as a result. Conference objects to having career structures wrecked by the ‘glass ceiling’ of time serving senior police officers hanging on in safe jobs until they pick up their pensions and then take the jobs they have been doing as officers.
Conference therefore instructs our Service Group Executive to work with our police authorities to convince police management and our politicians that police officers in police staff roles does not offer value for money in a cost conscious and performance driven workplace.