The Federation - About Us
The Federation came into being on 15 July 1971 by virtue of the Police Act (N.I) 1970. We are the police officers union although we do not have the right to strike. All ranks up to and including Chief Inspector are represented by us. This representation is on a DCU basis initially. That simply means that you should have a representative either in your own station or in close proximity.
REPRESENTATION BASIS
Each DCU elects Constables/Reserve Constables and one Sergeant depending on numbers within the DCU. Two Inspectors/Chief Inspectors are elected for Regions 1 to 6 and one Inspector/Chief Inspector is elected for each of the five departments in Region 7.
DCUs join together to form seven Regional Boards where the representatives raise, discuss and address issues.
These regions in turn elect members of their body to the Central Committee of the Police Federation which comprises twenty-six members, together with the Chairman and Secretary.
The Central Commmittee in turn elect their full-time Officials i.e. members who carry out Federation duties full-time.
Part-Time Officers (Reserve Constables) can now elect one representative to Regional Boards 1 to 6 inclusive. One of these representatives is in turn elected to Central Committee.
There are currently four full time officials:
Chairman
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
All these Officials are based at the Federation Offices at Garnerville.
All elected posts are held for a period of three years.
REMIT OF THE FEDERATION
Our remit is 'Welfare and Efficiency'. A person accepting the post of Federation Representative is accepting a moral undertaking to carry out the function of representing the membership in all matters within their remit.
The Federation oversee a number of agencies who assist and direct members who are encountering difficulties.
The two main areas where the Federation gives advice and assistance to the membership is with regard to:
a) The RUC Benevolent Fund
b) Legal Advice
On a day to day level there are many other areas of help given e.g. Benefits Scheme, Spouses Scheme, Private Health Scheme, Convalescent Homes, Travel Schemes and of course work related advice.
In all cases, your local representative should be consulted at the earliest opportunity.
WHAT WE DO
We meet on a regular basis with the Secretary of State , Northern Ireland Office, the Security Minister on matters affecting our members and have met on other occasions the Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The Federation produces a regular newsletter called PoliceBeat which gives its views on police issues and contains news for its members. On a day to day level we deal with matters affecting officers pay, conditions of service, legal matters and the many other areas which affect officers on duty.
We negotiate on a national basis in the Police Negotiating Board in London matters affecting officers pay, pensions and general conditions of service.
The Police Federation are actively involved in the consultation process established by government at all levels within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
We are members of the European Confederation of Police (Eurocop) based in Luxemburg. This group considers matters affecting policing which emanate from the European Parliament before they reach member countries. They also discuss issues of mutual concern to Police Forces across Europe, such as terrorism, pay and conditions of service etc.
The Police Federation regularly attend police and other conferences in the United Kingdom, Eire and USA. These include the International Law Enforcement Committee.
WHERE WE ARE
The Police Federation offices are situated in
Although located in a police establishment we are independent and have our own offices.
