The April edition of POLICE magazine is out today, a special issue launching our new nationwide campaign, Copped Enough – What the Police Take Home Is Criminal. Police officers in England and Wales are facing a severe pay crisis, with salaries falling by 21 per cent in real terms over the past decade.

Tomorrow [Thursday, 1 May], the Police Federation campaign goes live, demanding urgent government action to address pay degradation and prevent the mass exodus of experienced officers in England and Wales.

In our regular Chair Asks segment, Acting National Chair Tiff Lynch speaks to Emily Spurrell, Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, to find out more about her asks of Government to help support policing and her views on police funding and pay, plus a deep dive into the new Crime and Policing Bill, sharing how Tiff recently gave evidence to MPs as it passes through Parliament over on the news section.

With thousands of police officers and staff being neurodivergent, POLICE shines a spotlight on the challenges faced on conduct and performance matters and what more must be done to secure fair outcomes for colleagues, in an eye-opening conversation with the National Police Autism Association and Detective Chief Inspector Fiona Van Kampen from the NPCC Neurodiversity Working Group.

Updating members on our #SimplifyDG6 campaign, aimed at addressing the burdens of current evidence disclosure guidance, we caught up with PFEW National Detectives’ Forum Chair Ben Hudson, to find out how his visit to the Westminister eForum Policy Conference went after presenting views on the implementation of the Data (Use and Access) Bill to usher in much needed reforms in criminal justice delivery.

Exploring the unique role of mounted policing, we discover findings from researchers on how officers have expressed the need for the risks of policing on horseback to be factored into future equipment, especially when it comes to increased protection from falls.

With more members turning to brokers for mortgage support, the Police Federation asked Quick Mortgages to answer some of the most common questions raised by officers and staff, plus we share alarming insights from Metfriendly’s Police Family Finance Index 2025. The report highlights significant financial stress, impacting mental health and daily life, and underscores urgent calls for government action to address these issues.

Paying tribute to our unsung heroes, we celebrate the critical role Fed reps play in supporting members and also the United Kingdom’s first female police officer Edith Smith, sharing her legacy which carved the path for inclusive policing, in our Lookback section.

We hope you enjoy this edition.

If you have any comments and suggestions, please email editor@polfed.org.

To advertise in POLICE magazine please contact alison.lambert@polfed.org.