Lancashire Police Federation

10/10/2025

Post-Incident Procedure (PIP) investigators need to remember that what an officer sees in order to make a split-second decision during an incident is not always captured by body-worn video, Lancashire Police Federation has said.

Vice-Chair Ian McVety was speaking following the Police Federation of England and Wales’ PIP Seminar this week. The annual seminar aims to keep Federation PIP practitioners up to date with legislation and regulations so that they can best support their members.

PIPs are carried out in all situations following police contact that have resulted in death or serious injury; revealed failings in command; or caused danger to officers or the public.

A number of Lancashire Police Federation Reps have been trained to the same level as a Post-Incident Manager (PIM) and can support officers through the PIP process. Effective PIPs mean officers are more likely to be able to keep working in the job they love.

Ian said: “This week’s PIP seminar explored the use of body-worn video as a support to officers in providing accounts when there is an investigation into a death or serious injury.

“However, what investigators have to be reminded of is that what any one individual sees and experiences in order to make a split-second decision from their honestly held belief, is not always captured in full by body-worn video. The science of perception and memory recall should always be taken into account.

“Protracted enquiries, often years down the line, delve into minute detail. Our members turn up and deal with serious and violent offences to their best of their ability, day after day.

“The crumbling judicial system leaves both victims and police officers mentally exhausted. We need to work together with support and recognition for the work we do and support our officers.”

If officers are involved in a PIP, they should consider the following:
● You may be treated as a suspect or a witness. This is a very fine line. It is in your interest that if you are being treated as a suspect you should say nothing until legal advice has been obtained. You have legal rights under the PACE Act 1984 and these should not be compromised.
● If, however, you are being treated as a witness, remember all conversations are disclosable.
● Ask the PIM to contact the Police Federation, which can arrange legal advice and other support including contact with relatives, refreshments and so on.
● Initial notes should only be made subject to medical and legal advice.
● The Manual of Guidance recognises that statements should only be made after officers have overcome any initial shock of the incident. Be guided as to when you are ready by medical advice, a solicitor or the Federation.

08/10/2025

Dangerous individual put thanks to the efforts of DC Alyson Richards and colleagues

https://news.lancashire.police.uk/news/2025/september/dangerous-rapist-given-sentence-totalling-nearly-quarter-of-a-century/

07/10/2025

Remembering PC Peter Burnett, of Lancashire Constabulary, who died on duty on this day in 1990

02/10/2025

Thoughts with all involved - including our courageous GMP colleagues - following this morning's incident in Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police Federation statement following the Manchester synagogue attack this morning.

Mike Peake, Chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation, said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones in the horrific events this morning and we wish well to those still injured.

"The bravery of our colleagues involved in this incident - running towards extreme danger and dealing with an extreme threat - is to be commended.

"We can rightly be proud of our emergency services today. They are the best of the best in the most tragic of circumstances.

"Greater Manchester Police Federation are offering all colleagues involved our full support."

30/09/2025

The next Family Law surgery at Federation Office, Police HQ will be held on Wednesday 15th October 202

Lund Bennett Law are a dedicated Family Law Solicitors for Lancashire Police Federation.

To make an appointment with the Family Solicitor please telephone 01772 584 556 or email lancashire@polfed.org

All federation members, their family and police staff are offered:

A free initial 60-minute consultation
A reduced fixed fee Divorce, and
Discounted hourly rates.

The family law solicitor specialises in all areas of matrimonial law including divorce, finances and pension on divorce, child arrangements, cohabitation and civil partnership disputes.

They offer monthly in person surgeries at the Federation Office. As well as Teams appointments or telephone call appointments at any time – just call 0161 924 0079. Whichever is most convenient for you.

29/09/2025

Thousands of police officers who have died on duty were honoured at the 22nd annual National Police Memorial Day.

Members of the police family gathered in Coventry on Sunday 28 September, to honour around 5,000 officers who have lost their lives on duty.

The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out. They are PC Ian Minett, of Gloucestershire Constabulary; PC Michael Bruce and PC Frank Hawkins, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Marcus Bennett, of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary; PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police; and DC Karen Smith, of Humberside Police.

Also remembered was PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police, who died from injuries sustained on duty on Friday (26 September).

Martin Midgley, Chair of Lancashire Police Federation said: "We're here to honour those who have given their lives in the service of duty. We're here with the family and friends of Richard Kemp, who died in Lancashire in 2022, and we're here to honour his memory and all of the police officers that have given their lives in the service of this country. And it's really important that their memory doesn't fade and that we honour them and their sacrifice they've given.

"Police officers have a really, really difficult job. We know that. Police officers are running into danger when members of the public are going the other way. It is a dangerous job. It is a hard job with the amount of trauma and things they have to see and deal with. There's a lot of strained officers and we need to support our police officers. And ultimately, we're here to mark those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the fallen heroes who have given their lives to serve this country.

"It doesn't matter what force you are. It doesn't matter where you're from. We're here. We are one big family of officers. And we need to support each other and mark the deaths of all officers nationally."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and PFEW Chair Tiff Lynch.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.

Lighting the candle for England was Kelly Swindells and her daughter Mabel, in memory of Kelly's father DC Michael Swindells QGM, of West Midlands Police. DC Swindells was fatally stabbed by an armed suspect he was pursuing. Mabel was born on the 20th anniversary of his death.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Peter Olphert, in memory of his father Constable John Robinson Olphert, of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Constable Olphert was fatally shot by terrorist gunmen while off duty.

Lighting the candle for Scotland was Linsey Dempsey, in memory of her father PC Stuart Simpson, of Strathclyde Police. PC Simpson died when his police car was struck head on by a car going the wrong way on a motorway.

And lighting the candle for Wales was Lowri MacArthur, in memory of her father PC Terry Davies, of Gwent Police. PC Davies was killed after being struck by a stolen car that failed to stop as he cycled home from duty.

The families of six officers who have died in the line of duty were awarded the Elizabeth Emblem during the service. They are the families of PC Royston Jerred, of Sussex Police; Sgt Noel Lane and PC Mark Peers, both of the Metropolitan Police; PC Andrew Le Comte, of West Midlands Police; PC Ian Rodgers, of Greater Manchester Police and PC Dennis Smith, of Devon and Cornwall Police.

At the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.

28/09/2025

Members of the paid their respects to fallen colleagues at National Police Memorial Day in Coventry today.

28/09/2025

Remembering PC John Harwood, of Lancashire Constabulary, who died on duty on this day in 1979

26/09/2025

Incredibly sad news as Northamptonshire Police announce the death of PC Faizaan Najeeb - a week after being critically injured in a road traffic collision.

He was 24 years old.

Thoughts with his family, friends and colleagues at this devastating time.

PC Najeeb joined Northamptonshire Police in May 2022 and had served with the Response team in Wellingborough ever since.

PC Najeeb had been responding to a single vehicle collision in Station Road, Raunds, at about 12.35am on Friday, September 19, when he was in collision with a blue VW Polo.

PC Najeeb was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge but despite the very best efforts of medical staff, he sadly lost his fight for life early today.

Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said: “Words cannot describe the sadness felt when an officer loses his life serving in the line of duty.

“The entire Northamptonshire Police family wish to pass on our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this truly awful point in time.

“Colleagues from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are still investigating the collision, and specialist family liaison officers will continue to support Faizaan’s family in the coming days and weeks.

“We are also carrying out an internal health and safety investigation.”

26/09/2025

Today in the sunshine, along with colleagues and families of fallen officers, we attended the Lancashire Police memorial at headquarters in Hutton.

A service was held to recognise and remember those who have died in the line of duty.

Chair Martin Midgley laid a wreath on behalf of Lancashire Police Federation.

Lest we forget

22/09/2025

Thousands of police officers have sadly been killed on duty while keeping the public safe.

This weekend we remember them at National Police Memorial Day

https://policememorial.org.uk/national-police-memorial-day/

17/09/2025

Police officers are stretched beyond belief with officers of all ranks being worn down, the Government were told today.

Nick Smart, President of the Superintendents’ Association, highlighted to new Police Minister Sarah Jones that “we are still operating in austerity… we are bottom of the pile when it comes to funding - we are 12,000 police officers short.”

“This is not the service crying wolf,” added Nick at the Association's Annual Conference, as he told MPs: “Fund us, support us, listen to us, look after us.”

He highlighted that 17,752 officers were signed off work over the past year due to stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.

And more needs to be done to protect them.

"Welfare budgets should be protected at all costs,” said Nick.

“Keeping staff fit and healthy - physically and mentally - should be a moral obligation. The police covenant is a pale imitation of the military covenant.

“We can’t stop the job our people are doing from being traumatic. They have willingly taken on a difficult, dangerous and risky role as a vocation, to help other people. But we can build solid infrastructures to support them so that when it gets too much – which it undoubtedly will – we have their back – we know how to help them – and we can support them back to full health.

“As police budgets are squeezed, welfare is one of the first things to be reduced when it should be protected at all costs.

“We are stretched beyond belief, we are wearing officers down of all ranks.”

Nick added: “We need a national conversation about responsibility. Police officers are not medical professionals. They are not social workers. Until this happens we will continue to be society's sticking plaster.

“Policing continues to sit at the bottom of the pile when it comes to Government funding, despite ongoing pressure to deliver widespread safety reform, with fewer and fewer resources.

“It is the first duty of Government to keep its citizens safe, yet we see little evidence of a commitment to doing this. Instead, ensuring public safety will be even more challenging, as the population grows and demand on police rises, whilst funding does not keep pace.”

Police Minister Sarah Jones told the Conference the Government recognised that police officers “make huge sacrifices”.

She added: “We want to make sure that you have the support you need and the standards that people expect."