Leicestershire Police Federation

22/06/2026

"By contributing to Flint House, you’re not just supporting others... you’re investing in your own future wellbeing"

As Branch Secretary of Leicestershire Police Federation, I’ve been fortunate to also serve as a Trustee for Flint House Police Rehabilitation Centre, writes Secretary Joe Lloyd.

I’ve personally supported Flint House for nearly 25 years — thankfully without ever needing its services myself... but I’ve long seen first-hand the incredible difference it makes.

Whenever I visit the centre, I always make a point of speaking to officers and staff receiving treatment.

Without exception, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

People consistently describe their experience as transformative — not just for their recovery, but for their wellbeing overall.

It often feels like I’m pushing on an open door when advocating for Flint House.

That said, I’ve been keen to sense-check this locally within Leicestershire.

That’s what led me to speak with PC Josh Marshall, a young officer whose story perfectly demonstrates the value of Flint House.

Josh represents many of our newer in-service officers: active, committed, and passionate about sport and the outdoors. By his own admission, he’s no stranger to sport-related injuries!

Josh joined the force in 2021 and was unfortunately injured while detaining a suspect during his in-company period. His recovery took six months, extending his probation. It was during this time that a colleague introduced him to Flint House, and he began contributing as a donor.

In 2023, after injuring his ankle, Josh attended Flint House for the first time. With the support of expert physiotherapists, he was able to return to work much sooner than expected.

Josh’s journey didn’t stop there. In 2024, he suffered another setback—breaking his ankle. At the time, he had already signed up to complete the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and naturally he was concerned about whether he’d be fit enough.

Once again, Flint House stepped in.

Recognising Josh’s determination, the team supported him through a structured recovery, helping him regain the strength and confidence needed to complete the challenge.

In 2025, inspired by the support he’d received, Josh set himself a new challenge: completing the Manchester Marathon in aid of Flint House. His goal was simple—to give something back and raise awareness of the centre that had supported him through multiple recoveries.

Josh successfully completed the marathon and used the opportunity to highlight the outstanding work carried out at Flint House.

I wanted to speak with Josh because his experience highlights something important—particularly for our younger officers.

We know that not everyone signs up to donate when they join, often thinking they won’t need it.

Josh’s story is a powerful reminder that you never know when injury or rehabilitation might become part of your journey.

By contributing to Flint House, you’re not just supporting others—you’re investing in your own future wellbeing.

When the unexpected happens, you’ll have access to world-class facilities and expert care, helping you return to full duties sooner, in a structured and supportive environment.

More info on Flint House https://www.flinthouse.co.uk/

https://www.justgiving.com/page/joshuamarshall371?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

15/06/2026

The parents of Northumbria Police PC Jess Turnbull - who died on duty on Wednesday - have paid tribute to their ‘remarkable’ daughter who was ‘our greatest pride and our greatest joy’.

Jess was responding to a collision in Cramlington late last Monday night, June 8, and while at the scene was struck by a car unconnected to the original incident.

Jess, 19, was taken to hospital, where surrounded by her loved ones, she sadly died.

Today her mum and dad, Janice and Andy Turnbull, have released a tribute.

They share that Jess, who joined the police in September last year, had followed in her dad’s footsteps after he too served with Northumbria Police.

Janice and Andy have shared the following words about Jess: “As a family, we are utterly devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Jess, who tragically died following a road traffic collision at just 19 years old.

“Jess was our only child, and from the moment she came into our lives she brought happiness, laughter, and love into every day. The hole she leaves in our lives is impossible to put into words.

“Jess and her mum, Janice, shared a bond that was truly special. They were not only mother and daughter but best friends. They loved spending time together, whether that was shopping, chatting for hours or simply enjoying each other’s company. The shared countless memories that Janice will treasure forever.

“From a young age, Jess was full of energy, determination, and kindness. She loved sport and spent much of her childhood playing football and competing as a swimmer.

"Her passion for helping others was evident even then and she later volunteered her time coaching young children in football, encouraging them to believe in themselves and enjoy the game she loved so much.

“Jess recently found happiness with her boyfriend Dan. They had been together for a year and were inseparable. Whether they were out making memories or simply spending time together, they did everything side by side. Jess adored Dan, and he brought so much joy to her life.

“One of Jess’ proudest achievements was becoming a police officer. She absolutely loved serving her community and was incredibly proud to wear the uniform. Following in the footsteps of her dad, Andy, was something she had always dreamed of doing, and seeing her achieve that ambition filled us both with immense pride. Policing was not just a job to Jess, it was a calling.

"She cared deeply about helping people and making a difference, and she approached every day with enthusiasm, compassion and professionalism.

“While our hearts are broken, we are incredibly proud of the remarkable young woman Jess became. We will miss her every single day, but we will carry her love, her spirit, and our memories of her with us forever.

“We would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming kindness, support, and condolences we have received during this unimaginably difficult time.

“Jess was, and always will be, our greatest pride and our greatest joy.”

11/06/2026

Absolutely devastating news as Northumbria Police announce the on duty death of PC Jess Turnbull.

She was 19.

Thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this time.

Jess joined the Force in September last year and worked on the response policing team in Northumberland.

Jess was injured while responding to a collision which occurred on the A189 Spine Road in Cramlington at about 11.10pm on Monday.

While at the scene, she was outside of a marked police vehicle when she was struck by a black Mercedes CLC which was unconnected to the original incident.

Jess was taken to hospital where yesterday, surrounded by her loved ones, she sadly died.

05/06/2026

Sad news from colleagues in Humberside.

Thoughts with Kai's family, friends and close colleagues

All at Humberside Police Federation are deeply saddened to share the heartbreaking news of the death of our colleague, PC Kai Bore-McDonald.

Our thoughts are with Kai's family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.

Humberside Police Federation Branch Secretary Dan Haile said: “I am devastated to share this news. I had the pleasure of knowing Kai during his policing career and he was a truly lovely person with an unforgettable personality and passion for policing.

“Over the last few days, I have spent time with Kai's team, and it is impossible to put into words the sense of loss that is being felt. They are absolutely heartbroken, as are his colleagues across the Force.

“What stood out most to me was the incredible courage and strength he showed throughout his illness. He faced it with such bravery and dignity, and he inspired so many of us by the way he carried himself through the toughest of times.

“Today, our thoughts are especially with Kai's family. The love and strength they have shown has been extraordinary, and I hope they take some comfort in knowing just how much Kai was loved and respected by his policing family. He will be greatly missed, and he will never be forgotten.”

03/06/2026

Our latest Leicestershire Police Federation Podcast is available for colleagues to watch now on YouTube.

In this clip, host Royston Martis and Chair Andy Spence discuss £2 million being spent on private security by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Leicestershire Police Federation is entirely against this plan.

Watch in full on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLRnC6eUNR4&feature=youtu.be

Or listen on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wyhPk9J6vXPek6TxsMfpC?si=KEnxsNaCRTq7XiJfhH7ypw

29/05/2026

Joint letter from Leicestershire Police Federation and UNISON Leicestershire Police to Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews.

Investment Priorities for Safer Communities in Leicestershire

Dear Mr Matthews,

We write jointly on behalf of the Leicestershire Police Federation Branch Board and UNISON Leicestershire Police to express our significant concern regarding the recent decision to allocate approximately £2 million of public funding towards SIA-registered street wardens.

We recognise and support the overarching aim of improving community safety, visibility, and public reassurance. These are goals shared by both organisations and the workforce we represent.

However, we feel compelled to highlight that this approach risks diverting valuable resources away from established, accountable, and operationally effective neighbourhood policing.

Neighbourhood policing—delivered by warranted police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)—remains the cornerstone of public confidence, crime prevention, and community engagement.

These roles are not only visible but are embedded within communities, trained to respond appropriately to incidents, and held to rigorous professional and ethical standards.

By contrast, while SIA-registered wardens may provide a degree of presence, they do not possess policing powers, nor do they operate within the same framework of accountability, training, or operational capability.

As such, there is a real risk that this investment may create a perception of increased presence without delivering the substantive outcomes that communities expect and deserve.

At a time when policing resources remain stretched, and demand continues to grow in both complexity and volume, it is essential that funding decisions are carefully aligned with evidence-based policing models. Investment in neighbourhood policing has consistently demonstrated its value in:

• Preventing and detecting crime
• Building trust and legitimacy within communities
• Supporting early intervention and safeguarding
• Reducing long-term demand on policing services

Both the Police Federation and UNISON Leicestershire Police strongly believe that public funds should prioritise strengthening these proven capabilities, rather than introducing parallel structures which may duplicate, dilute, or confuse the delivery of community safety.

We also have concerns regarding workforce implications. The introduction of non-policing roles, funded at scale, risks undermining morale among existing staff who are already delivering vital services under significant pressure. It is crucial that any initiatives complement—not replace or appear to replace—the professional roles of officers and staff.

We wish to be clear that our position is not oppositional for its own sake. Rather, it is rooted in a shared commitment to:

• Effective and accountable policing
• Value for taxpayer money
• The safety and confidence of Leicestershire’s communities
• The welfare and professional integrity of the policing workforce

In that spirit, we would welcome the opportunity to engage constructively with your office to explore how this funding could be redirected or supplemented to strengthen neighbourhood policing capacity, including support for both officers and PCSOs.

We believe that by working collaboratively, we can ensure that investment decisions deliver tangible, long-term benefits for the communities we all serve.

We look forward to your response and continuing dialogue on this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Spence
Leicestershire Police Federation Branch Chair
Paul Gurney
UNISON Leicestershire Police Branch Chair

25/05/2026

Overnight Police Officer Pension Changes... Q and A for officers this week.

Police Friendly are running one of their regular “Know your numbers” webinars this coming Wednesday (27 May) from 10am to 11.30am which should help those with questions on the recent Government police pension changes.

The webinar will feature a presentation by Paul Turpin, senior Pension adviser to the Police Federation of England and Wales - and include time for a Q&A from participants/an explanation and update on the latest announcement.

The registration link for the webinar is here: https://resources.metfriendly.org.uk/know-your-numbers-27/05/2026

To see other dates and courses this link gives all of the relevant details: https://www.mpfs.org.uk/events/

22/05/2026

Police officers who have given decades of service to this country have had their retirement plans changed overnight.

This week, the Government introduced new commutation factors for officers in the 1987 Police Pension Scheme following a Treasury decision to increase the SCAPE discount rate.

While the terminology may sound technical, the impact on retiring officers is very real.

From today, officers retiring under the 1987 scheme will receive almost 5% less in lump sum payments for giving up the same amount of annual pension than an officer retiring just last week. For many, that represents a loss of thousands of pounds with immediate effect.

What makes this particularly concerning is the speed of the change.
Many officers have only recently received retirement quotations and benefit illustrations based on the previous figures.

Those figures inform major life decisions, mortgages, debt repayments, supporting family members and long-term retirement planning.

Now, with no warning, no transition period and no protections, the goalposts have moved.

The Police Federation is now seeking independent actuarial and legal advice on:
• the scale and justification for the changes
• whether officers who relied on recent quotations may have suffered financial detriment
• What legal remedies may be available

Police Federation National Secretary John Partington said:
“After decades of service, the ‘thanks’ retiring officers get is this: government quietly shaving cash off a hard-earned retirement overnight. It’s a blatant case of picking the pockets of police pensioners, and we will not let it stand.”

Police officers cannot strike. They cannot freely negotiate pay. Throughout their careers, they miss birthdays, rest days, weekends, and family milestones in service to the public.

The least they should expect is certainty and fairness when they retire.

Members, please check your emails for further information and guidance on the changes announced this week.

Add your voice to thousands who have 👇
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=IJTX9mriHUe68V29n-n68x6or_dn_91EhYtIqAFCmSRUM0NKUlVLMTdYQjFUTTNWQzdMNFpXSVVSMSQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

20/05/2026

Police Officers or Private Security? Our latest Leicestershire Police Federation Podcast is available for colleagues to watch now on YouTube.

In this clip, host Royston Martis and Chair Andy Spence discuss £2 million being spent on private security... that money would be better spent on Police Officers.

Leicestershire Police Federation said it was "entirely against" the use of private security.

Watch in full on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLRnC6eUNR4&feature=youtu.be

Or listen on Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wyhPk9J6vXPek6TxsMfpC?si=KEnxsNaCRTq7XiJfhH7ypw

18/05/2026

from all these police officers who have been honoured in the Chief Constable’s awards

Congratulations all colleagues

https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2026/may/annual-chief-constables-awards-recognise-excellence-bravery-and--professionalism/