Job Threats in the Police Services

The recent announcements from police forces within England and Wales regarding job losses are a threat to the membership of this union. The continued practice of cutting Police Staff posts to cover budgetary shortfalls is an outrage to our members and the public. The annual practice of threats to our member’s jobs and livelihoods, not […]

Recognition

Conference recognises with great pride the success of the introduction of Police Community Support Officers within England and Wales. It is a shame that this invaluable work is not recognised by the employer or the Home Office. The Janes’ Police review Community Police Officer of the Year Awards recognises the work of Community Police Officers […]

POLICE OFFICER STRENGTH STATISTICS

Conference notes that the Government’s headline statistics for Police Officer strength do not differentiate between those officers in front line roles and those undertaking roles which could be undertaken by Police Staff. As political parties of all persuasions see this crude figure as a campaigning issue, there is a risk that the Government might be […]

MAY DAY CELEBRATION

This branch of UNISON attended the 2006 TUC May Day Rally held in London which called for Trade Union Rights for 21st Century and workplace justice. As part of the fastest growing service group within UNISON, we were proud to show our solidarity with fellow trade unionists and allies the world over, on this important […]

Shared Police Control Rooms and Remote Processing

Conference is alarmed at the growing threat to Police Staff jobs posed by the sharing of Police Control Rooms with other Emergency Services. Workforce Modernisation, Force Restructuring and Regionalisation work on the simple basis of efficiency gains. Therefore Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to: 1)liaise with the Home Office to identify the extent and […]

Police Force Amalgamations and Joint Working

This Conference supports the UNISON position statement on Force restructuring. It notes that amalgamations are now not likely to proceed in the near future but believes that we must remain vigilant and able to respond to developments and the changing situation. Consequently Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to: 1)consider alternative responses to possible future […]

Operational Police Staff Supervisors

The Home Office’s insistence that Police Staff no longer hold the position of supervisor is of great concern to Conference. This is particularly evident with PCSOs and Enquiry Desk Officers. The Home Office believes that Police Officers and Sergeants can fill this void. They hold the view that local beat officers may handle operational direction […]

Essential Training for Police Staff

Police Staff are lacking a structured approach to their own training and development. There is little to no scope for progression/movement into other areas of work and there is very limited IT Systems training. Police Staff development consists of applying for jobs and being successful and very few progressive routes exist. It is essential that […]

Vetting of Police Staff

Conference notes the increased intrusiveness of vetting, especially financial vetting of Police Staff. Conference also notes that local forces are trying to implement their own vetting procedures but there are no nationally agreed procedures. Conference instructs the Service Group Executive to: 1)provide support and information to branches on how to resist the implementation of local […]

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Police Staff Participation

Conference is appalled at the timing of the trial/pilot in merging of Police Staff Conference and Seminar, to coincide with the closing of National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Conference. This raises significant participation and confidentiality issues for Police Staff members who identify as LGBT and are not ‘Out’ within the work place or […]

Short Term Funding

Conference notes with increasing concern and alarm that the Service Group Executive has failed to implement any of the motions raised on this issue in 2004 (motions 11 and 27) and 2005 (motion 20) on short term funding particularly with regard to Police Community Support officers (PCSOs). Government funding for PCSOs, Custody Officers and Volume […]

Three year Pay Deals

Conference notes that the current Local Government three year pay deal expires on 31 March 2007 Conference further notes that the current pay deal has given us a rise of currently 0.6% in real terms. Conference believes that 3-year pay deals: 1)Weaken the bargaining position of the union and 2)Risk falling behind inflation However, Conference […]

Women and the LGPS Rule 85

This Local Government Service Group is appalled at the recent announcement by the Government to remove the Rule of 85 from the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), without proper consultation with the relevant stakeholders. The impact on many local government workers will be significant. In particular the impact on women will be enormous. This Service […]

Efficiency Reviews in the UK and Reviews of the Public Sector in Wales, Northen Ireland and England

Conference notes the motion passed in 2005 warning of the detrimental impact that efficiency reviews across the UK could have on jobs and services. Their effects are already being felt. Local authorities are implementing Efficiency Reviews by introducing more shared services through public-private partnerships or public-public partnerships. This is leading to job losses from economies […]

Shared Service Centres, Remote Processing and off-shoring – A threat to jobs and the Best Value Code on the two tier workforce

Conference is alarmed at the growing threat to jobs and the Best Value Code on the Two-Tier Workforce posed by shared service centres and remote processing of local authority services by contractors and other local authorities. Regionalisation of back office services through call centres is undermining local economies, local democratic accountability, jobs and responsiveness to […]