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Qui tacet consentire (who is silent gives consent)
The authorised history of MI5 makes reference to the police pay crisis in 1977 when it was feared there would be the first police strike since 1919 and that it may force the resignation of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister we are told censored the speech of the Home Secretary to the Police Federation in order not to inflame matters. And against this backdrop it is made explicit that MI5 did not regard either the Police Federation or its leaders as subversive.
Whilst the Prime Minister does not appear to be conciliatory in 2011 there is something that is exactly the same as it was in 1977. That is that locally, regionally and nationally neither the Police Federation nor its leaders are subversive.
Earlier this year the Joint Branch Board mandated the JBB Chairman, JBB Secretary and JBB Treasurer to raise at every opportunity in any forum the concerns of the Joint Branch Board at the proposed reduction in police numbers over the next four years to ensure their views and concerns for the impact this will have on the policing of North Yorkshire and the City of York.
North Yorkshire Police Federation is not a militant organisation. We act within our statutory remit of welfare and efficiency to represent, negotiate and influence on behalf of our membership - not just a hardcore.
This monthly e-newsletter is subscribed to by 896 people. Our Facebook page has some 743 friends, whilst we have 389 followers on Twitter.
Our members can and should make use of their directorate representatives to ensure we are fully aware of all issues affecting the membership. In addition for the past few months Nigel Day, Mark Botham and Mike Stubbs have been visiting police stations across North Yorkshire listening to the views of you our members.
A representative sample number of our members responded to a national survey published Monday 16th May 2011 which showed that police officers in North Yorkshire believe the government cut of 20 percent of the police budget over the next four years and a reduction in police officer numbers will have a detrimental effect on crime levels and result in the public getting a poorer service. 99% said that morale has fallen owing to planned police budget cuts, the possibility of a reduction in police officer numbers, possible changes to their terms and conditions, and how this will all impact upon the service they are able to give to the public. 87% of police officers believe cutting police officer numbers in North Yorkshire will have a detrimental effect on crime levels. As a result of the reduction in police officer numbers 84% believe their workload has already increased or will increase in the future and an astonishing 94% believe there will be a decline in service delivery in North Yorkshire due to planned budget cuts. 89% of police officers in North Yorkshire believe changes to their terms and conditions will have such a detrimental effect that some police officers will be compelled to leave the service owing to financial difficulties.
http://www.nypolfed.org.uk/police-and-federation-news/police-news/survey-reveals-police-in-north-yorkshire-fear-cuts-will-result-in-poor-public-service-and-increased-crime/
Please remember that earlier this year in a survey, commissioned by the Police Federation of England and Wales and undertaken by Ipsos MORI, 86%of the general public said they would be worried if the police stopped providing the range of services outlined by interviewers; 44% say they would be very worried
http://www.nypolfed.org.uk/police-and-federation-news/police-news/public-worried-about-reduced-police-service/
This stands in stark contrast to the views expressed by the government that cuts to policing are achievable without crime rising or affecting service delivery to the public. And our press release on the subject was to highlight the views clearly expressed by our members.
