21/10/2026
🗣️ FEDERATION LEADERS PLEDGE TO REBUILD AND DELIVER MEANINGFUL CHANGE
Police Federation leaders acknowledged the need to rebuild trust, improve accountability, and drive meaningful cultural change during a frank discussion at this year's Annual Conference.
During a frank panel discussion about the future of the Federation, acting deputy national chair Paul Williams, acting National Secretary Mel Warnes and interim Chief Executive Officer Gabriel Milland faced questions about the future of the organisation, its credibility and plans to create a stronger, more united Federation.
The discussion, chaired by host Ian Collins, addressed the challenges facing the Federation following recent events involving its senior leadership, with delegates questioning how meaningful cultural change could be achieved and whether the organisation could restore its credibility with members and the Government.
Opening the discussion, Mel acknowledged that members had every right to feel disappointed and angry about what had happened.
“Members are absolutely right to be shocked and angry, feel let down, I'm sure,” she said, adding: “We've not got things right, and we need to do better. And we're honest about that.”
However, she stressed that the Federation remained an organisation worth fighting for.
“This is a Federation that's worth fighting for, and that's what this transformation programme is about, because we need to build that trust.”
Gabriel outlined the proposed structural changes, explaining that independent reviews informed the transformation programme and produced 49 recommendations.
He said the changes were designed to create a more transparent and accountable organisation, with clearer leadership responsibilities and stronger oversight.
The proposals included replacing the separate national chair and secretary roles with a single general secretary position, reducing the size of the National Board and strengthening the responsibilities of the National Council.
Independent non-executive directors are also being introduced to provide additional scrutiny and challenge.
Gabriel said the changes were essential to ensuring the Federation could properly represent its members.
“We need to get ourselves into a situation where we can be the organisation that our members need us to be,” he said.
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< 📸 PIC - A panel of PFEW leaders speak at the organisation's 2026 Annual Conference. Image credit: Anderson Photography >