If 2020 was a year we will never forget then 2021 has been much of the same.
As the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic continued – and sadly continues – our members have been out there protecting the nation’s defences, as they do 24/7 day in and day out. Often with little or no recognition.
And we can not forget how first time round there was no priority for them and colleagues across the UK to get the Covid-19 vaccine. A shameful neglection from the Government.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all colleagues for their work during the pandemic. And to thank their families for supporting their loved ones who were out there in uniform on behalf of the public.
As I stated last year, we’ve managed to maintain the security and the outputs that we have right the way through this pandemic and have approached it with pure professionalism. We should be very proud of that work.
One of our undoubted highlights of 2021 was to be able to launch our first ever Awards celebrating the bravery, excellence and inspiring work of colleagues across Britain.
We were very proud to have commissioned and organised this event. It’s been no small undertaking but my colleagues on National Executive of The Defence Police Federation felt it was incredibly important to celebrate the fantastic work of colleagues.
Now, more than ever.
If you haven’t already, please do take a chance to look at their work and their citations. They are a credit to our Police Force and it was mine and The Defence Police Federation’s privilege to thank them on behalf of their colleagues.
We are looking forward to running this prestigious event again in 2022 so please do think about putting deserving colleagues forward for consideration!
The launch of our Awards also coincided with our 50th birthday as a force and a Federation – another achievement to be proud of.
As a Federation we continue to highlight the hard work of officers, the challenges they face, champion their wellbeing and fight for their pay and conditions. These conversations continue with both the force and the Government and we will carry this on, on behalf of colleagues into 2022 and beyond.
As always at this time of year, I would like to thank our Federation Reps for all the work they have done both during duty time and in their own time, on evenings, weekends, across the board to support our members.
For those of you who are able to have time at home with their families at this time of year, I hope that you and they have a wonderful festive period. And for those that are working – thank you for continuing to do the important role that we do in protecting us and the nation and keeping everybody safe.
I’m very, very grateful to them all and I’m incredibly proud to be able to identify myself a Ministry of Defence Police officer.
