We have today agreed the most significant transformation of the organisation in our 107-year history, paving the way for a new structure designed to put members at the centre of everything we do.
The changes, agreed by the Federation’s National Council, will fundamentally reshape how the organisation is led, governed and supported, with clearer accountability, stronger scrutiny and more resources focused on branches, representatives and members.
At the heart of the reforms will be a new General Secretary directly elected by members, replacing the current split leadership model of National Chair and National Secretary.
The National Board will become smaller and more strategic, reducing from 24 members to around 15 and including two independent non-executive directors. National Council becomes stronger and provides the principal route for branch and member voice, scrutiny and accountability.
The reforms will also see resources realigned to provide stronger practical support to our branches and representatives through regional structures, while strengthening our campaigning, communications, negotiating and member service capability.
Crucially, branches will remain at the heart of the Federation. They will continue to represent members locally, maintain relationships with members and forces, make local decisions within the Federation’s overall framework and retain their branch reserves.
Paul Williams, Acting Deputy National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “Today marks an historic moment for the Police Federation. We have confronted some difficult truths about where the organisation has fallen short and the determination to leave the Federation in a healthier condition than we found it has driven this work. This is about building a Federation that is clearer, more accountable and better equipped to fight for its members.
“We are building a much stronger connection between what members and branches are experiencing and the decisions made nationally. We are strengthening scrutiny, bringing in greater independent expertise and making sure our resources are focused where they can make the biggest difference – supporting our representatives and delivering for members.
“This is about creating a Federation that is fit for the future and, above all, fit to fight for police officers at a time when there is so much we need to fight for on welfare, pay and battling exploitative working conditions.”
Melanie Warnes, Acting National Secretary of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “Our members have every right to expect a Federation that works for them, listens to them and can demonstrate what it is delivering on their behalf. For too long, our structures and ways of working have made that harder than it should be. Today we have taken a major step towards changing that.
“The test of this transformation is not how impressive an organisational chart looks. It is what members actually experience. Can they see who is responsible? Can they get the support they need? Do their experiences shape our campaigns, negotiations and decisions? And can they have confidence that their Federation is properly accountable? That is what these changes are designed to deliver.
“This is the beginning of a significant programme of work, not the end of it. Changing structures matters, but changing culture matters just as much. We need greater openness, professionalism, challenge, collaboration and a willingness to learn from our mistakes. Our members deserve nothing less, and today we have given ourselves the foundations to build it.”
The decisions made by National Council today follow an intensive five-month process during which the proposals were debated, refined and developed. Much of the Programme is based on the recommendations of the independent review into the Federation that we commissioned, and the authors of that review, Baroness Bousted and Peter Vicary-Smith, have been consulted throughout the development of the programme.
The changes will ultimately be judged by what members notice: clearer leadership, stronger advocacy, a stronger connection between members and national decision-making, better support for branches and representatives, greater accountability and a more responsive organisation.
We have also set out a clear “member test” for the transformation: whether members are being put first, whether they trust the Federation, whether they understand what we do to support them, whether they have confidence in the leadership, and whether we are better at fighting for them.
Many of the recommendations arising from the Transformation Programme will require legislative change, and we have already begun discussions with the Home Office about the legislative steps needed to support the reforms.
