As expected in my first update, Home Secretary Suella Braverman has commissioned HMCI Andy Cooke to conduct a themed inspection of the staff networks. Please follow this link to see the letter letter-from-rt-hon-suella-braverman-mp-to-andy-cooke.pdf (justiceinspectorates.gov.uk)
This is a time for us to help our operational membership to grasp our Mission, Vision and Values, and to showcase our resources and beliefs, so they can answer when questioned. The good thing is we have the assurance of scriptural promise, that the Holy Spirit will give all of us the right words to say when put on trial. No harm in being clear on our goals before the meetings though!
We live in one of the most amazing countries in the world. We are really blessed in a lot of ways, and we could be even better if we all pulled together – the truth is, this is the direction Jesus calls us to, to serve wholeheartedly and to love unconditionally, therefore without fear or favour. Which on the surface of it is the basis of the Home Secretary’s approach. The danger is the pendulum swings too far and the baby goes out with the bathwater – resulting in government pressure to stop police services from supporting staff networks.
I’m not saying we become political – that is exactly what we need to avoid. We need to be alert and take this opportunity to do what we do best – to Support, Encourage and Empower. Every market or environment has opportunities. CPA may actually come into vogue for a short time while the pendulum swings across the point of balance that we are all aiming for. We can’t rest, or we could become complacent.
I suggest we use the opportunity for CPA to unashamedly be our whole selves while any favour lands, and live and walk out our calling by working as though we are working for God. Praying and showing our faith by our works for the benefit of those who walk in the authority bestowed by God.
It is an opportunity to honestly ask our Chief Officers, ‘How can we help you to achieve your strategic goals and objectives?’ This way we will show our value and the wider value of staff networks, to help our services to see clearly and make good decisions in the current environment of trial by media and social media. To recruit and retain a police service that brings their whole selves to work, and who serve without fear or favour, who treat their colleagues and the communities with kindness, whilst seeing the potential of what they could possibly become given the truth and the right encouragement.
So, let’s encourage HMICFRS, that we are called to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves. That CPA and wider staff networks are of immeasurable value, and therefore a great investment.
John 15:13 – This is my commandment: that you love each other as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends.
