Despite having entered something of a lacuna in the otherwise frantic schedule of promotions processes we continue to receive more calls relating to promotion injustices than any other subject at our office in Bromley. I am thus reminded daily just how important the subject is to a huge section of my members and I would like to reassure you that we as a Branch Board are actively communicating with the Service to ensure that all of your concerns are expressed.

It strikes me that each time a disappointed candidate probes beyond the surface of the initial explanation they discover yet another failing in the system and these invariably and understandably lead to the feelings of inequity and frustration, which are then verbalised in the phone calls to the IBB office.

However we all need to be realistic in our expectations. Unless we can demonstrably prove that the inequality of treatment was due to discrimination on the grounds of one or more of what are known as the “relevant acts’ e.g. Race, Gender, Disability, Religion, Age or Sexual Orientation, we really are hamstrung with regard to insisting that the situation is resolved to the candidates satisfaction. All too often we are left with few, if any, cards to play and have to rely on the Service's willingness to correct their mistakes. Sadly they currently have little enthusiasm for such practical remedies.

We are currently participating in the Promotions forum process the details of which I circulated to all your reps last month. The aim we are assured is to develop a promotion system that we can all have confidence in. There is another session later this month, which we will be attending and we will keep you all informed of developments.

In conclusion I know it’s a very important issue for many of you and thus it’s important for me. But please I ask you to appreciate the limited powers I have at my disposal to achieve the results you so badly want.

On another subject do you.......

........Think you can do better?

The triennial elections for Federation representatives are imminent. Nominations for candidates need to be submitted before midnight on Friday 16th November.

I am sure that many of your current representatives will be seeking re-election but irrespective of whether this is the case or not, if you are interested in the role I would urge &  encourage you to stand. All you need to do is complete a f.728 indicating your willingness to stand and get one of your electorate (Inspectors or C/I’s working within the command or commands covered by that constitutional position) to sign it indicating that they are nominating you and another to second that nomination. The f.728 with all three signatures then needs to be received by your HR manager before the deadline.

If more than one candidate is nominated then clearly an election will need to be held. This will be administered and overseen by your HR manager.

More than ever before the Inspecting ranks are in need of active and enthused Federation representation. I have often heard it said that the Police service has been going through almost constant change for the last fifteen years. Well be under no illusions- even greater challenges and changes are hurtling over the horizon towards us. Our long term pay prospects are far from resolved. Reductions in C/I and perhaps Inspectors numbers are imminent. The new misconduct and unsatisfactory performance regulations are due for implementation next year, as is the Met's Transforming HR programme, which we fear will substantially increase the burden on our ranks. Excessive hours and your work / life balance remain key challenges for us. I could go on but suffice to say this next triennial period promises to be as demanding as any in the past.

If you would like further information on what the job, of an Inspectors Federation rep, entails please visit the 'Wanted- Inspectors fed reps' page in the News section of this webv site