About Us
Background
The Police Federation of England and Wales is a National staff association for all police constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors. It was created by the Police Act 1919, passed a year after a crippling strike by the unrecognised National Union of Police and Prison Officers.
The Police Act standardised pay and conditions of service throughout the country and whilst improving rates of pay, it also imposed many of the restrictions police officers continue to work under, including constraints on their personal lives, the inability to form trades unions and the lack of full industrial rights. Because police officers are legally prohibited from going on strike, the Federation is reliant on negotiation alone to reach agreements on pay and conditions of service.
Our Structure
The National Heaquarters of PFEW are to be found at ’Federation House’, Leatherhead, Surrey. This is a purpose built facility, close to London and its’ many attractions, which also operates as a hotel for members. For more information on the services on offer from Leatherhead or the activities of our Central Committees, please visit www.polfed.org.
The 43 Police Forces of England and Wales are grouped together in Regions. The South Yorkshire Police branch of the Police Federation is part of No.2 Region, together with the Federations of West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Humberside, Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria Police. Each Region has elected representatives who sit on the various Central Committees, contributing to the National policing agenda.
Locally, every 3 years members have the right to stand for election as a Federation Representative and to vote for candidates in a variety of ranks and roles intended to provide a broad spread of representation across the Force. Details of these triennial elctions will be published on the force intranet. Officers considering standing for election are always welcome to contact the Federation Office for more information and guidance.
