Thames Valley Police Federation

13/10/2026

Thames Valley Police honoured at High Wycombe church

Thames Valley Police officers were honoured at a special appreciation ceremony in High Wycombe, recognising their dedication, service and positive impact on the local community.

09/10/2026

Neurodiversity and Policing webinar upcoming

The webinar will discuss the challenges neurodivergent officers may face and how they can be supported with the appropriate conversations, understanding and reasonable workplace adjustments.

The session will also highlight support services both within the policing and through external organisations.

15 October @ 10.30am.

https://pfewevents.org/neurodiversity-and-policing

05/10/2026

Sad news as Humberside Police Federation announce the death of a colleague.

The thoughts of Thames Valley Police Federation are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time.

All at Humberside Police Federation have been devastated by the news of the sudden death of a colleague over the weekend.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and close colleagues at this absolutely tragic time.

We are supporting his family and fellow officers as best as we can.

If police officers and staff are struggling they can contact a Police Federation Representative, the Mental Health Crisis Line (call 0300 131 2789) and Samaritans (116 123).

01/10/2026

The HMICFRS’ warning that forces have “significant gaps in experience, skills and supervision” should concern everyone in policing, the Chair of Thames Valley Police Federation has said.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary published its latest ‘State of Policing’ Report, in which it warned that too many officers and police staff were experiencing low morale and poor wellbeing, and that forces were managing significant gaps in experience, skills and supervision.

It said that forces must understand the capabilities they will need in the future; strengthen supervision and professional development; and recruit and retain the right combination of officers and staff.

Thames Valley Police Federation Chair Aileen O’Connor said: “This warning from HMICFRS should concern everyone involved in policing, as these gaps create real risks for operational effectiveness and public safety.

“These gaps have developed through years of underinvestment, an exodus of experienced officers, and a rapid influx of new recruits replacing long-serving colleagues. While officer numbers may look healthy on paper, many forces have lost a wealth of operational knowledge that cannot be replaced overnight.

“Less experienced officers are being asked to manage increasingly complex investigations, mental health incidents and safeguarding responsibilities, often with fewer experienced supervisors available to guide them. That increases the risk of mistakes, poorer outcomes for victims, greater pressure on frontline staff and declining public confidence.”

She added: “The solution is not simply recruiting more officers. Policing needs to retain experienced officers through fair pay, better career progression and improved wellbeing support. Forces also need greater investment in supervision, leadership development and specialist training to ensure knowledge is passed on to the next generation.”

29/09/2026

Thoughts of all at Thames Valley Police Federation are with Alex's family, friends and close colleagues.

All at Dorset Police Federation are devastated by the sudden death of our colleague PC Alex Ayre.

Alex – who died on Friday - was 24.

He had served in the Bournemouth and Boscombe area and joined the force in 2022.

Alex's family described him as a "much-loved son, grandson, big brother, little brother, nephew, cousin, best friend and such an important person to so many people".

They said: "None of us ever imagined we would be having to say goodbye to you so soon.

"Losing you has left a space in our lives that can never be filled.

"You were deeply loved and respected by your family, friends, colleagues, childhood friends and by so many people whose lives you crossed along the way."

They described him as a "handsome, charming young man" whose personality naturally drew people towards him.

The family said: "You had such a way of making people feel welcome, accepted and included, no matter who they were.

"You were always there for people, always happy to help, always thinking about how other people were feeling, and always someone people knew they could turn to when they needed you."

Chris Wood, Chair of Dorset Police Federation, said: “We are all incredibly saddened by the sudden loss of Alex.

"The thoughts of all at Dorset Police Federation are with his family, friends and close colleagues at this devastating time.

“The Federation team remains in constant contact with the Force and are supporting his colleagues as best as we can.

“If anyone needs support, the Force’s welfare team are available as are the Federation.”

28/09/2026

Thousands of police officers who have died on duty were honoured at the 23rd annual National Police Memorial Day.

Members of the police family gathered in Belfast on 27 September, to honour around the more than 4,500 officers who have lost their lives on duty.

1,500 people were in attendance.

The names of those officers who have died in the past year were read out.

PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, of Cleveland Police, PC Alice Slominska, of Bedfordshire Police, PC Jess Turnbull, of Northumbria Police, PC Mark Chester, of The Ministry of Defence Police, PC Mathew Parker, of Essex Police, PC Bradley Corke, of Kent Police, and PC Faizaan Najeeb, of Northamptonshire Police.

Aileen O'Connor, Chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, is featured in this video.

She said: "National Police Memorial Day is one of the most important and poignant dates in our policing calendar.

"It provides an opportunity for the policing family, and the wider public, to pause and remember those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

"NPMD is a symbol to show that those who paid the ultimate sacrifice their service mattered, their lives mattered, and they will never be forgotten."

Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, said: "Today is my first time at a National Police Memorial Day service. It's always going to feel significant and important, but this year more than ever means so much.

“Today at the forefront of my mind will be PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough - and their families.

"We should never, ever forget the sacrifice that police officers make every single day.

"National Police Memorial Day reminds us about how important the police family is. The families of officers that have lost their lives will remain part of our police family forever.

"It's so important to remember every day, every year, to mark their service, what they gave in their service. And to remember their families, that have lost somebody that they love."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave a reading at the service, as did the Lady Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle.

And Jon Boutcher, Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

During the service, candles were lit for officers in each of the four nations.

Lighting the candle for Northern Ireland was Jackie Gorman, mother of Constable Kevin Gorman, who died 23rd November 2008, alongside three colleagues, while responding to a call for assistance when their police vehicle lost control and struck a wall.

Lighting the candle for Wales was Dorothy Ellis, mother of PC Adrian Ellis, of Gwent Constabulary, who died on 27th September 1989. Adrian was killed in a motorcycle accident while travelling to report for duty.

Lighting the candle for Scotland was Christine Fulton MBE, wife of PC Lewis Fulton, of Strathclyde Police, who died on 17 June 1994, when he was stabbed during a violent struggle as he took action to protect members of the public.

Lighting the candle for England was Chris Prior, husband of PC Rosie Prior, of North Yorkshire Police, who died on 11 January 2025, when she was struck by a lorry while assisting at the scene of a collision.

Towards the end of the service, the Last Post was sounded, and petals in remembrance of all the officers who have lost their lives were distributed to the congregation.

27/09/2026

Members of the paid their respects to fallen colleagues at National Police Memorial Day in Belfast today.

27/09/2026

Remembering DC Joe Mabuto, of Thames Valley Police, who died on duty on this day in 2016

25/09/2026

College Of Policing ‘Out Of Touch’ On Attrition

The College of Policing is “out of touch” for thinking officers won’t leave the service, the Chair of Thames Valley Police Federation has said.

Aileen O’Connor was speaking after concerns over the number of officers wanting to leave the police service were dismissed at the Superintendents’ Association conference.

Figures show that in the past financial year, 4,751 police officers voluntarily left the police forces in England and Wales – an increase on the previous year, when 4,688 officers left. And – according to the latest Police Wellbeing Survey – three in 10 police officers and staff say they intend to leave policing within the next year.


However Jo Noakes, the interim CEO of the College of Policing, did not share concerns from conference delegates, describing the risk of officers leaving the service as “relatively low”.

Ms Noakes said: “The data does show that we are still a really, really low turnover sector, and that is of course because it is a vocation. I talk to officers every day who love the job, do a really good job… we just need to be really careful not to take advantage of that and all have a responsibility in that.”


She added: “People come into policing because they want to make a difference, they do make a difference and they love it.”


Ms Noakes’ comments were echoed later in the conference by Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, Police Reform Lead at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, who said the service had “no problem” recruiting new officers.

AC Rolfe said: “Policing has no problem recruiting. Attrition is tracked clearly and tracked better than other public sectors.” While she said the service must be “alive” to the numbers of people leaving, she said it was “better than other sectors”.

Aileen said: “The College of Policing is out of touch with its dismissive view describing the risk of officers leaving the service as ‘relatively low’. What it is missing here is the key issue – we’re losing experience, skills and leadership. Every officer who leaves takes valuable knowledge with them, and that has a direct impact on the service we provide to the public.

“Every officer who is thinking of leaving the service will be exhausted, frustrated or questioning whether policing still offers the support, reward and recognition they deserve.

“Policing cannot recruit its way out of a retention crisis. If we want talented officers to stay, we must address the issues they raise around pay and conditions, demand, workloads, wellbeing and support. Forces can not continue to ignore these real issues, as they are gambling with the future of policing.”

23/09/2026

There are 4,655 officers listed in the UK Police Roll of Honour.

They will all be remembered at The 23rd National Police Memorial Day this Sunday 27th September in Belfast

https://policememorial.org.uk/national-police-memorial-day/