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PAUL DAVIS
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9JGP FKF [QW LQKP VJG 2QNKEG 5GTXKEG *QY FQ [QW »PF FGCNKPI YKVJ achieve a good deal, but government hold
CPF YJGTG JCXG [QW UGTXGF! VJG +2%% QXGT OCVVGTU VJCV CHHGEV all the cards.
I joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary on »TGCTOU QH»EGTU! T e Federation must move with the
the 16th April 1984. I served in Cambridge T e IPCC has a role to play, and this times but not at the expense of those we
City, my home town Peterborough then can vary depending on the way any support or to appease the Government.
Cambridge rural, prior to joining the investigation develops.
National Federation in 2001. T ere has to be more communication 9JGP VJG 2(1# YCU ETGCVGF KV YCU
between all parties before any press OGV YKVJ TGUKUVCPEG HTQO UQOG
9JCV KU [QWT TQNG YKVJKP VJG 2('9! release. T is can sometimes set the tone HGFGTCVKQPU CTQWPF VJG 7- (QWT
I am the Deputy Secretary of the for the way officers see the IPCC and [GCTU QP YKVJ UQOG OGODGTU
Constables Committee, responsible for indeed the way the public perceive what FQ [QW VJKPM KV JCU C TQNG VQ RNC[ KP
overseeing the claims made on behalf of has happened. We have seen the dangers UWRRQTVKPI PQV QPN[ »TGCTOU QH»EGTU
Constables in employment tribunals, civil of misreporting, often causing anguish to
claims and personal injury. Until recently the families of those who have been shot, DWV (GF 4GRU CU YGNN!
I was the secretary of Ops Policing, with and also the officers involved and their T e PFOA has become a good support
one of my responsibilities being firearms. families. organization. It compliments what the
forces and the Federation do for officers.
T e PFOA is also able to assist in other ways
#TG »TGCTOU QH»EGTU UWRRQTVGF ;QW KPUVKICVGF RQUV KPEKFGPV that are not available to the Federation or
RTQRGTN[ D[ VJGKT HQTEG HQNNQYKPI C CYCTGPGUU UGOKPCTU HQT (GF 4GRU force. I believe those who had an ‘issue’ will
RQNKEG UJQQVKPI! DCEM KP VQ CUUKUV 4GRU VQ UWRRQTV now be reassured by the incredible work
I believe the support varies from force to »TGCTOU QH»EGTU RQUV UJQQVKPI KU the PFOA does in assisting officers and
force, but if the Federation Reps receive VJKU IQKPI VQ EQPVKPWG! their families, and in helping to educate the
appropriate training to equip them post Any death involving police contact will public about the police use of firearms.
incident there is a great benefit to both involve an investigation. T e Federation
the officers, their force and the service as is part of the post incident process and 9JGP PQV QP FWV[ JQY FQ [QW URGPF
a whole. Firearms Officers are volunteers, we must ensure we continue to train [QWT URCTG VKOG!
and deserve to be treated with the utmost Federation Reps to support police officers I have a wonderful family and incredible
respect and dignity. through these challenging events. I’m sure support from my wife, Alex. We have
we can always improve our training. We three boys, all under four years old! So
9JCV KU VJG 2QNKEG (GFGTCVKQP²U XKGY need to ensure our Reps are up to date most of my spare time is with them and
YKVJ TGICTFU VQ EQORGNNKPI QH»EGTU and knowledgeable in the police use of all the delights that brings. I also coach
VQ CVVGPF HQT +PVGTXKGYU! firearms, and indeed other death or serious Rugby Union and follow Leicester Tigers.
T e rules are quite clear – attend an interview injury in contact incidents. I follow netball as Alex still plays, having
to assist any investigation but not at the previously played for England. I also enjoy
expense of your own rights in law. Officers 6JGTG JCU DGGP OWEJ VCNM TGEGPVN[ socialising over a pint or nice glass of wine
should make sure they seek the appropriate CDQWV RC[ CPF EQPFKVKQPU CPF or, believe it or not, cooking for friends!
support and guidance from their Federation ¯YJCV JCXG VJG (GFGTCVKQP FQPG HQT 2.'#5' 016' VJGUG CTG VJG XKGYU QH 2CWN &CXKU CPF
or lawyers representing them. VJGKT OGODGTU!° &Q [QW VJKPM VJG CTG PQV PGEGUUCTKN[ UJCTGF D[ VJG (GFGTCVKQP
(GFGTCVKQP JCU FQPG GPQWIJ! &QGU
VJG (GFGTCVKQP PGGF VQ OQFGTPKUG!
A good question! It’s very difficult to get
the best deal for our members when the
current Government keeps reminding
everyone in the public sector there is no
money. We have worked as hard as we
can, and will continue to do so in order to

