Hertfordshire Police Federation

Home
United Kingdom
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire Police Federation

Call Directions Website

The representative body of over 2000 officers in the Hertfordshire Constabulary

02/11/2026

FED CHAIR PRAISES COLLEAGUES FOR 'TURNING FORCE AROUND'

While policing has been left at the bottom of the Government’s list of priorities, Hertfordshire Police officers have been working tirelessly to turn around their Force, says the Federation branch chair.

Luke Mitchell said the 2026 Police Federation of England and Wales's (PFEW) Pay and Morale Survey reinforced the organisation’s long-standing concerns about underfunding and lack of support for officers.

His comments come as Hertfordshire Police emerges from a period of change, with officers and staff working tirelessly to turn around the Force’s performance and restore its position among the best-performing forces nationally, particularly in solving crime.

Luke said: “I want to first praise the police officers and staff that have worked incredibly hard over the last 20 months.

“The force has gone through the largest change programme I’ve seen in my 25 years’ service.

“Officers have brought into the changes and worked incredibly hard, at speed, to ensure we have turned the Force around.”

Luke said that the Pay and Morale Survey findings reinforced the central theme and title of last month’s PFEW conference, the Real State of Policing.

“Policing is in a state,” Luke said. “It's been at the bottom of the list in terms of government priorities for a number of years.

“These figures play into what we've been saying as a Federation for a long time about the underfunding and under-support, and the lack of priority policing has been given.

“It has fallen year on year behind every single other part of the public sector."

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4f5bNJC

02/11/2026

🚨 WIN £100 GIFT VOUCHER

The latest Police Family Finance Index (PFFI) survey is now open for completion with Federation members encouraged to have their say on the money they earn from the profession.

Held annually by Police Friendly, the survey is your opportunity as an officer to share how you are feeling about your current financial circumstances in full confidence.

It involves questions asking how you are managing your money, keeping up with bills and saving for the future.

The important research will be used to inform policy development and provide guidance for areas of financial wellbeing support in policing, with responses measured and compared with previous editions of the PFFI survey.

Among the headline findings in last year’s survey was 68 per cent of officers reporting financial concerns and 56 per cent of officers saying their financial circumstances had worsened over the previous 12 months.

There are also 10 Amazon gift cards each worth £100 up for grabs for those who take part.

ENTER HERE: https://bit.ly/4iuKGbZ

23/10/2026

💬 PFEW CONFERENCE: CALL FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO OFFICER WELFARE

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is calling for an independent investigation into officers' health and welfare during their first five years of service.

Acting deputy national chair Paul Williams issued the call at the Federation’s Annual Conference.

The 2026 Pay and Morale Survey found that officers serving between three and five years reported the lowest happiness and the highest levels of fatigue and anxiety.

Two-thirds of all police officer resignations come from officers reaching the five-year point in their careers.

Paul said PFEW had declared a public health emergency in policing, warning that the service was failing to retain officers just as they built valuable experience.

“We need urgent action to stop policing burning through its people,” Paul said.

“Half of PCs have fewer than five years’ service. Two-thirds of all officers resigning have hit the five-year point and can give no more.

“That is why PFEW is calling for an independent investigation into the health, wellbeing and welfare of officers in their first five years of service, bringing together the data and lived experience needed to put concrete measures in place to better support them.

“And we cannot look away from the gravest consequence. Nearly 20 officers each year die by su***de.

“We have fought for national recording and reporting of police su***des and su***de attempts, called for common minimum standards of wellbeing and pushed for su***de-prevention training,” he added.

FULL STORY: https://tinyurl.com/3tn298aa

📸 Image credit: Anderson Photography

22/10/2026

👮 PFEW CONFERENCE: BADENOCH PLEDGES 10,000 EXTRA OFFICERS

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to recruit 10,000 additional police officers, including 2,000 in crime hotspots.

However, Badenoch warned that policing cannot continue replacing experienced officers who leave because of mounting pressures and low morale.

Badenoch, who attended the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Annual Conference and addressed delegates, said officers needed more frontline colleagues, less unnecessary paperwork and better support to do the job.

She also criticised the Labour Government for failing to send a representative to the PFEW conference for the second consecutive year.

“I want you to know that I have your back,” she told delegates.

Badenoch said a Conservative Government would create 50,000 additional prison places, reduce administrative burdens on officers and use technology, including artificial intelligence and live facial recognition, to help investigations.

Badenoch told Conference the scale of the challenge was reflected in PFEW’s latest Pay and Morale Survey findings.

She said the results showed that more than half of officers reported low morale and nearly a quarter intended to resign within two years or as soon as possible.

“We need to recruit the right people and prepare them for the realities of the job,” she said. “Recruitment is only part of the answer. We also need to make sure that once we have good officers, we keep them.

“Policing used to be a career that people loved, but I know many former police officers who didn't feel that way by the end.

“You cannot just keep recruiting new officers to replace the good ones who have left.

“That is no way to run a police service. This should be a job people love. We want you to love your job, and we are going to make it a job that you love again.”

FULL STORY: https://tinyurl.com/5x5myy4t

21/10/2026

Branch chair Luke Mitchell explains what happened on Day 1 of the National Federation Annual Conference in London.

21/10/2026

🗣️ BRANCH CHAIR CHALLENGES FEDERATION LEADERS OVER NEED FOR GENUINE CULTURAL CHANGE

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell has challenged national Federation leaders over how they intend to deliver meaningful cultural change and rebuild members' trust in the organisation.

Speaking during a panel discussion at this year's Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) conference, Luke questioned whether genuine reform could be achieved while many of the same individuals remained involved in the Federation's leadership.

The discussion, featuring acting deputy national chair Paul Williams, acting national secretary Mel Warnes and interim chief executive officer Gabriel Milland, focused on the Federation's transformation programme and plans to improve accountability, transparency and governance.

While welcoming the unity demonstrated at September's National Council meeting, where transformation proposals received unanimous support, Luke stressed that structural reform alone would not resolve the organisation's problems.

He said: “You spoke about honesty in some of your speech. And for me, honesty is a very basic requirement, really, but it feels there's a culture issue at Leatherhead.

“I question how we can change culture when it's predominantly the same people that are going to be involved around that.”

Luke also questioned why concerns about the Federation's leadership culture had not been challenged or addressed sooner, particularly following comments from Paul about the influence of egos within the organisation.

He was equally clear that the Federation's focus must remain firmly on the officers it represents.

“Everything that we do in this room is for the benefit of our members,” he told the panel.

Responding, Paul acknowledged the concerns and said that meaningful change required individuals to recognise past mistakes and take responsibility for putting them right.

He also said that some individuals who had previously attempted to challenge behaviour within the organisation had faced bullying and intimidation.

READ MORE: https://tinyurl.com/2s3639dz

21/10/2026

🎤 PFEW ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENS WITH TRIBUTES TO FALLEN OFFICERS

This year's Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Annual Conference got underway today (Wednesday 21 October), with a renewed commitment to examining ‘the true state of policing’ and its impact on officers.

More than 600 attendees are attending the two-day event, which was opened by PFEW acting national deputy chair Paul Williams, who discussed the modern demands faced by members.

Acknowledging these realities, Paul said officers were not alone in questioning the sustainability of working conditions that push them into fatigue and burnout.

He also highlighted the impact these pressures can have beyond the workplace, emphasising the need for reform that improves not only officers' lives, but also those of their families and loved ones.

Paul said: “Over the course of this conference, we are going to talk about the true state of policing, including morale, welfare, working conditions, and the future of the service.

“I want this event to remind us of something behind every debate that happens around this profession, and behind every statistic and headline, there are people who put on a uniform and accept a responsibility which the overwhelming majority of the public will never have to carry.

“Not only that, but they are then expected to fill the gaps which others are responsible for - causing them to start shifts still utterly wiped out from the last one.

“And at the end of that, going home to be a mother, a father, a wife, a husband, a friend and a human being.

“As a national Federation, we will also look at ourselves, and at the organisation we need to become, so we can properly support and represent our members through these overwhelming pressures.”

READ MORE: https://tinyurl.com/35u6hnkr

< 📸 PIC - Acting deputy national chair Paul Williams addresses Conference.
Image credit: Anderson Photography >

14/10/2026

🤝 BREAKING THE SILENCE ON MENOPAUSE SUPPORT

Ahead of World Menopause Day, Hertfordshire Constabulary is highlighting the importance of understanding menopause, supporting colleagues and creating a workplace where everyone feels comfortable having positive conversations.

Hertfordshire Constabulary is bringing colleagues together on Thursday (15 October) for its annual menopause event, offering an opportunity to learn from experts, share experiences and explore the support available across the force.

Organised by the Menopause Support Group, the event will take place:

✅ at Force headquarters
✅ from 9.30am to 1pm.

World Menopause Day is on Sunday (18 October), this year, with its theme focusing on managing chronic pain at mid-life.

The keynote speaker is Dr Yasmine Nassif, a chartered psychologist with more than 25 years' experience in the mental health field and deputy clinical lead for the East and Southeast Talking Therapies team.

Passionate about sharing knowledge around women's health, Dr Nassif has led the women's health working group in Talking Therapies since 2021. Her presentation, from 10am to noon, will offer colleagues an opportunity to explore the subject in greater depth, with time for questions and answers.

Experts will also be available to offer advice on a range of health and wellbeing issues, with Police Mutual attending the event.

Rachel Hyde, chair of the Menopause Support Group and a Menopause Champion, said: “We have been so lucky to secure such a knowledgeable and imminent speaker who I am sure will give us such a different perspective.”

“Menopause is a diverse and complex experience, affecting people in different ways. While its impact on women is rightly at the centre of the conversation, it can also affect partners, families, colleagues and line managers.”

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

13/10/2026

🕯 IN MEMORY

Hertfordshire Police Federation will today remember the first female police officer to be killed in service on mainland Britain.

PC Mandy Rayner was killed while she was observing in a stationary patrol car which was deliberately rammed by a drink driver being pursued by police on 13 October 1982. Mandy was 18 and just five weeks into her career.

Branch chair Luke Mitchell said: “Mandy’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks police officers can face from the very beginning of their careers.

“She was just 18 years old and had only been in the job for a short period when her life was tragically cut short.

“It is important we continue to remember Mandy and ensure her sacrifice is never forgotten. Our thoughts remain with her family, friends and everyone who knew her.”

12/10/2026

🤝 FED REINFORCES PIP SUPPORT FOR OFFICERS

Hertfordshire Police Federation is there to support members through post-incident procedures (PIP), says branch secretary Dean Cornish.

Dean has reinforced the branch’s commitment to members going through the PIP process.

He said: “It is important to understand that the PIP is a supportive process.

“Officers involved are treated as key witnesses, not as people under investigation for misconduct.

“The aim is to secure the best possible evidence for everyone involved, while ensuring officers receive appropriate support following what may have been a traumatic experience.

“As a Federation, our role is to support members. We help them understand why the process has been initiated, explain their legal and procedural rights, and ensure they are treated fairly throughout.

“We have several PIP-trained officers who provide guidance and support at every stage.”

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/3UngTtJ

Address

Stanborough Road
Welwyn Garden City
AL86XF

Telephone

01707 638096

Website

http://www.herts.polfed.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hertfordshire Police Federation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.