The August issue of POLICE is here and it’s packed with powerful stories of courage, campaigning, and change across the policing world.
In the edition’s main feature, we salute the 30th Police Bravery Awards 2025 winners along with 70 officers from 38 forces who were recognised for extraordinary acts of courage and two officers from Cheshire Police who won the Inspiration in Policing Award, sponsored by Flint House Police Rehabilitation Centre, for creating a safe space for men to speak openly about mental health.
This year’s awards also saw the launch of a new category – Heart of Policing Award, sponsored by Police Mutual and Axon, for exceptional empathy in action. The Police Bravery Awards would not be possible without the support of Police Mutual, who have steadfastly sponsored awards for more than 10 years.
In our news feature you will hear about Copped Enough – our national campaign calling on the Government to urgently address degradation in police pay and working conditions and our hard-hitting investigation revealing thousands of officers are now doing second jobs simply to make ends meet. Real-life accounts lay bare the toll on family life, wellbeing, and public safety and PFEW’s urgent call for 21 per cent pay restoration.
We also bring to you fascinating glimpses of this year's Police Unity Tour – the annual cycling event which brought together over 500 police officers, staff and supporters from across the country, each riding more than 200 miles to honour fallen colleagues, to raise more than £240,000 for Care of Police Survivors (COPS).
In Historic Rise in Female Leadership (Part 1), we speak to the record number of female Federation branch chairs now shaping the future of policing. National Chair Tiff Lynch and her colleagues share candid insights into representation, resilience, and why inclusion must be more than a buzzword.
The Naloxone Debate continues to divide forces. PFEW presses for clear national guidance on training, storage, and officer protection, warning of the professional and emotional risks when policing is pushed into health service territory without safeguards.
Mental health amongst officers dominates again, with new data showing a record 17,752 officers were signed off due to stress, anxiety, depression, or PTSD in the financial year 2024-2025. In Policing Facing a Mental Health Crisis?, PFEW Wellbeing Lead Paul Williams calls for mandatory minimum support standards, psychological risk assessments, and an end to the “postcode lottery” in officer care.
Our Guest Column tackles violence against women and girls, challenging both policing and society to confront systemic failures and push for change that truly protects victims.
We also take a poignant Look Back at the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings — remembering the courage of officers who responded and the lasting lessons for policing major incidents.
Join the conversation as we campaign for fair pay, stronger welfare protections, and a policing culture that honours both bravery and care.
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.
