The Federation Story

Following the first and only Police Strike in 1919, the Police Act received Royal Assent in August of that fateful year. The legislation, which was rushed through Parliament before the Summer Recess, established the Metropolitan Police Federation, a staff association without the right to strike, consisting of separate Boards representing Constables, Sergeants and Inspectors.

Police officer's pay, conditions and welfare continued to fluctuate badly over the next forty years. In 1960 a Royal Commission recommended that Constables' pay be increased by 30 per cent. Two years later the Police Council agreed to a biennial review of police pay and a reduction in the working week to 42 hours.

In 1970 the Equal Pay Act gave policewomen parity with male colleagues. By 1976 inflation and staff shortages saw police pay again so low that some officer's families were receiving Supplementary Benefits. The following year the Federation launched a public relations campaign that won widespread support for a substantial pay rise. In 1978 the Edmund-Davies Report recommended a 45 per cent increase in police pay, part of which was seen as compensation for not having the right to strike.

Sheehy

Police pay and conditions came under its severest attack in 1992 when the Home Secretary, Ken Clarke, appointed Sir Patrick Sheehy to oversee an 'independent enquiry into police responsibilities and rewards'. Simultaneously the Home Office launched reviews of core functions and disciplinary procedures. Later that year pension contributions for women officers were raised from eight to 11 per cent. The Federation flatly rejected the Sheehy Report and hired Wembley Arena to hold a mass rally. More than 23,000 police officers turned up and heard leading police figures from all ranks, and opposition politicians denounce Sheehy's report.

Police Reform 2002

The Police Reform Bill of 2002 saw police pay and conditions put under further threat. This time the national Federation organised a 'Bobby Lobby' of Parliament. The Prime Minister came under pressure during Prime Minister's Questions about swingeing proposals to police conditions of service. At the same time 13,000 officers had travelled to Westminster to lobby their MPs. Once again the pressure of public opinion overcame the avarice of government policy and the police service, largely thanks to the efforts of the Federation, continues its fight for fairness.