Policing leaders mark 100 years since the formation of the Police Council
The Home Secretary joined senior policing leaders ‘virtually’ this week to mark 100 years since the formation of the Police Council – a body brought together to discuss police pay, pensions and conditions of service.
Priti Patel said the former body had “heralded a new era of collaboration between the Government and the police”.
The “poignant” online event was hosted by Chief Superintendent Paul Griffiths, president of the Police Superintendents’ Association.
The event brought together representatives who play a role in police pay, pensions and conditions and who would have been part of today’s Police Council.
Guests were addressed by Mr Griffiths, the Home Secretary, the Policing Minister, the chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales and the chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council. Each spoke of the history of workforce representation and the importance of this in today’s landscape.
Today, the Police Council no longer exists, and a number of bodies are in place to discuss and decide police officers’ pay, pensions and conditions of service, including the Police Remuneration Review Body, which provides independent advice to the Government on pay and conditions for police officers, and the Police Advisory Board of England and Wales, which considers draft regulations under the Police Act 1996.
Mr Griffiths said: “It was a poignant moment to bring together the influencers, negotiators and decision-makers from today’s policing landscape, to reflect on the incredible history of the governance surrounding crucial matters for police officers.
“Many of the challenges facing our service and our officers 100 years ago are starkly different to those we face today, but the core values and ethos of policing, what makes the role of a police officer so special, have never changed.
“As president of the Police Superintendents’ Association, these core issues of reward, recognition and rights for our workforce are key, and I’m grateful to everyone who attended today to discuss and reflect on this central part of the history of policing.”
Ms Patel added: “It was an honour to mark the centenary of the Police Council, which heralded a new era of collaboration between the Government and the police.
“Since becoming Home Secretary I have been proud to work with the leaders and frontline officers across the country – to deliver for the police, and for the public.
“We have come a long way in 100 years, but our commitment to working together is now stronger than ever.”
