Courtesy of One Police UK

Courtesy of One Police UK
Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) within the Emergency Services. It was extremely well received by many of you, with some willing to share your own experiences. As you will remember I made reference to Emma Liddell from (http://www.bluelighttraumaservices.co.uk/), who is doing some great work highlighting the importance of PTSD care and awareness.

Emma contacted me yesterday. Since my post she has had 265 responses to her Survey, now making it one of the biggest and most in depth surveys into PTSD and Burnout in the Emergency services in the UK, for at least the past 15 years.

She also told me she has had so many emails and messages from people asking for help or willing to share their stories, it has been overwhelming, however she is very busy getting back to each and everyone of them slowly but surely.

In addition Emma has a potential meeting with the health and safety branch of the Police Federation to present the findings of her survey in September. Hopefully if she can gain their support things may really start moving forward.

Finally Emma told me that due to the large amount of individual responses from current and ex Police she has decided not to keep Blue Light Trauma for organisations, but to open it up to individuals that may be dealing with PTSD and Trauma and looking at the prospects of Trauma weekends to allow others from similar backgrounds from all over the country to meet and share their experiences, as well as getting some help.

I think this is great news, and is a step in the right direction for the awareness and treatment of PTSD. It wouldn’t have been possible without all of you. Thank you.

Please visit Emma’s page here for more info – Blue Light Trauma Services

Courtesy of Constables Committee

Courtesy of Constables Committee

Constables Committee
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Dear Colleagues,

It is the responsibility of the Constables Central Committee to represent the interests of Constables across England and Wales. It is the duty and responsibility of every one of us to abide by the law, our rules and the Standing Orders of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

The Constables’ are deeply concerned that the situation of the ‘review’ as announced by Steve Williams could have grave consequences for the PFEW. A review which has not been correctly sanctioned with proper authority will have no credibility in the eyes of the government or support from the Members we all promise to represent.

The Constables’ have as previously stated declared the review to be ‘separate’ under JCC Standing order 16, a fact that the JCC Chairman refused to accept despite having no right or authority to do so.

The JCC is recognised within Police regulations when the three separate rank committees are sat together to discuss matters of common interest, no vote was taken by the JCC regarding any detail of a review.
Without agreement by the JCC our legal advice is that the JCC Chairman had no remit or authority to make his announcement; accordingly we repeat for the record that we do not recognise the review as announced by Mr Williams.

We do not object ‘in principle’ to an ‘independent review’ but have serious concerns relating to the wilful and repeated disregard of standing orders, fund rules and Police regulations in this matter. If matters are to be widely supported all must be assured that correct processes have been adhered to, enabling all to have trust in the actions taken.

In striving to alleviate the difficulty of the current position and seeking to provide resolution we have asked that the matter be taken to conference allowing the country to decide how it is progressed. We regret that this course of action which we believe to be reasonable has not received support.

Today we say again on record, that we will fully support a properly constituted review and remain prepared to engage fully on that basis.

In line with our policy of proactive engagement we will now begin an urgent process of consultation with Police Constables across England and Wales.
We will seek views and listen to concerns, taking action as necessary whilst also providing clarity on the very issues that have caused this impasse to arise reiterating that; there must be no decisions about us without us.

Will Riches
Chairman
The Constables’