Police Federation must publish accounts, say MPs

A report by the home affairs select committee has found that three branches – Leicestershire, North Yorkshire and Derbyshire – are still refusing to reveal amounts held in certain branch funds, in spite of calls for greater transparency.

The committee says the federation, which represents all ranks up to chief inspector, has reserves of £29.5m, operates an annual surplus of £4.7m, and local branches’ visible accounts show reserves of £35m.

Branches which are refusing to disclose details say the revenue is made up from commission on the sale of financial products to members and nothing to do with subscriptions.

The committee recommends that on the eve of next week’s annual conference, the federation should publish online all its central and branch accounts – a move described by one senior fed official as an “unachievable” target and meant “to set up the organisation to fail”.

It also supports an independent review’s suggestions that money should be given back to rank and file members by way of reductions in subscriptions.

Standards ‘falling short’

The committee also describes as “shocking” and “digraceful” reports that bullying is endemic within the top levels of the federation, in particular persistent attempts to undermine and destabilise past chairmen.

It writes “…it appears that standards of behaviour within the federation have consistently fallen well short of those the public, as well as their fellow officers, are entitled to expect from police officers”.

Next week’s conference is crucial for the future of the Police Federation. Failure to agree the most sweeping changes for 95 years will risk MPs demanding legislation for the first time since the federation was set up by parliament in 1919.

Another factor is whether the Home Secretary Theresa May is prepared to force through change and risk another confrontation on a thinner blue line.