NCJ Number
47331
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY/MARCH 1978) Pages: 5-17
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTIONS OF BRITAIN'S POLICE FEDERATION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE POLICE FEDERATION, WHOSE PREDECESSOR WAS THE CLANDESTINE NATIONAL UNION OF POLICE AND PRISON OFFICERS, REPRESENTS THE RANKS OF CONSTABLE, SERGEANT, INSPECTOR, AND CHIEF INSPECTOR. MEMBERSHIP THROUGHOUT GREAT BRITAIN NUMBERS 100,000. THE FEDERATION DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO FORCE THROUGH ANY CLAIM THAT IS RESISTED BY THE GOVERNMENT. BRITAIN'S POLICE ARE NOT ALLOWED ANY AFFILIATION TO TRADE UNIONS OR POLITICAL PARTIES. APART FROM THE MILITARY, THE POLICE ARE THE ONLY PUBLIC SERVICE PERSONNEL DENIED THE RIGHT TO STRIKE. AS OF JANUARY 1978, BRITISH POLICE WERE INVOLVED IN A DISPUTE OVER A PAY CLAIM. IN LOCAL BALLOTING, MANY FEDERATION MEMBERS WERE VOTING FOR THE RIGHT TO STRIKE, THE RIGHT TO BELONG TO A TRADE UNION, AND/OR TO HAVE THE FEDERATION AFFILIATED WITH THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT. BRITAIN'S POLICE ARE PROUD OF THEIR TRADITIONS OF LOYALTY, POLITICAL IMPARTIALITY, AND CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY. DEMANDS FOR UNIONIZATION ARE MORE IN THE NATURE OF A PLEA FOR SOME FORM OF RECOGNITION. SOME POLICE FEEL THAT THEIR OPINIONS GO UNHEEDED BY POLITICIANS AND THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT THE FEDERATION IS TREATED NEITHER AS A PROFESSIONAL BODY NOR A TRADE UNION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)