Background

West Yorkshire Police Federation is a branch of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Who are the representative body to which every police officer, below the rank of Superintendent, belongs. It was established by the Police Act 1919 to provide the Police with a means of bringing their views on welfare and efficiency to the notice of the government and the Police authorities.

All the elected officials of the Police Federation must be serving Police officers. Police officers are not permitted to belong to trades unions and must not take part in politics. (The Federation does, however, liaise with public sector trade unions and has excellent relationships with the TUC and all political parties). Under the provisions of the Police Act, the police are forbidden to strike, and must at all times obey the lawful orders of senior officers. Police pay, allowances, pensions and conditions of service are negotiated nationally in the Police Negotiating Board, which covers the United Kingdom Police service.

How We Are Organised

There are 43 Police forces in England and Wales. Each is a branch of the Police Federation and negotiates directly with the Chief Officer and the Police Authority. Normally, the national chairman will not comment to the media on a local matter which does not have national implications, and such enquiries should be directed to Tom McGhie the Chairman of West Yorkshire Police Federation on 01924 208399 or, alternatively by e-mail Tom McGhie .

  • All Federation officials, local and national, are elected for three year terms and are eligible for re-election when a term expires.
  • An annual conference is held each year, usually in May.
  • All branch boards and committees of the Federation have a 'reserved seat' for a woman.
  • The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Joint Branch Board are elected by the committee from among members of that board.
 
How We Serve Our Members

The Federation raises voluntary contributions from its members.

The funds of the Federation are used mainly to provide services to members. Subject to the discretion of the Joi$nt Central Committee, free legal and medical advice and assistance is provided to enable members to pursue civil claims for damages for such things as injuries sustained in traffic and other kinds of accidents; defamation arising from police duty; and criminal assaults. The funds can also be used to assist officers who are involved in equal opportunities cases.

The Federation also provides legal advice and assistance to members who are charged with certain criminal offences, arising wholly from the course of their duties. It also pays for legal assistance to members facing serious disciplinary allegations.

It is the member who takes legal action. The Federation simply provides the financial backing, within the rules of the funds (which are approved by the annual conferences). It is therefore wrong to say that the Federation is suing in an individual case. Nor does the provision of legal assistance from the funds imply that the Federation is "backing" a member facing a criminal or disciplinary charge. All members are treated equally, and the Federation does not take a prior view on the merits of a case, where this is a matter for the courts or the disciplinary authority. West Yorkshire Police Federation provides a number of member services for it's members, see our Member Services menu on the left.