How We Work
The Federation’s structure and the organisation of its activities are specifically designed to meet the Federation’s objectives in the most effective way possible. They are designed:
- To enable efficient and productive negotiations with the official side.
- To ensure that Federation policy is determined democratically and so as to meet the interests of the membership as a whole.
- To fulfil the Federation’s duty to its membership.
- To meet the needs of a disciplined, specialised and National Police Force.
The Federation embodies a hierarchical structure, resting on the Branches who form the very foundation of the Federation. These are organized into two area’s – Southern and Northern.
The supreme authority of the Federation is the Annual Conference. Branch Representatives from the two Areas consider policy and received reports on the business conducted throughout the year. Conference may also debate resolutions about improving conditions of service and related matters or revise the Rules and Constitution of the Federation.
Routine management of the Federation is overseen by the National Executive Committee (NEC) who meet quarterly. The NEC is composed of National Officers, Area Secretaries and Senior Supervisory Grades (SSG).
The NEC and its sub committees are responsible for negotiating and consulting with the Chief Constable, Senior Officers of the MDP and the Ministry of Defence. The Federation also has access to the MoD Police Committee (MoDPC) with either the National Chairman or General Secretary attending as an observer. The MoDPC meets quarterly and is chaired by an independant Chairman.
Negotiation and partnership: The Consultative Machinery
The Federation’s NEC at present enjoys a constructive and amicable relationship with the MDP’s Management Board. Over recent years there have been many areas where the interests of both the Force and the Federation have converged. By working together we have invariably achieved accords that would not have been possible working alone.
Inevitably however there are matters on which the views of the Federation do not concur with those of the official side. The Federation’s facilities agreement with the Ministry of Defence makes provision for various Consultative Committees. These are the primary forum for the official and staff sides to exchange views and information in order to negotiate and try to resolve any differences of opinion.
There are specific areas where the coming together of the official and staff sides can be particularly beneficial. One such area is the local and divisional Health and Safety Committee. Another is in the area of welfare where the DPF has a representative embedded in the MDP Performance and Attendance Unit.
The Federation prides itself on its industrial relations record. We are confident that we show ourselves unyielding on those issues where compromise is, in the best interests of our membership as a whole, not an option. Yet we have shown that we are able to negotiate, adapt, be realistic, compromise where appropriate, and strive for consensus.
