Derbyshire Police Federation

✍️ BRANCH CHAIR ENCOURAGES MP CONTACT TO BACK UP PC ANDREW HARPER PETITION

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Lisa Flanagan has urged branch members to contact their local MP to help block those responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper from gaining early release from prison.

PC Harper lost his life on duty for Thames Valley Police in August 2019 when he was fatally dragged along a country road by a car after attending an incident of quadbike theft.

Two of the men that were in the car were each convicted of manslaughter and given 13 years in prison.

But the pair could now be eligible to serve only half of that time following the introduction of an early release scheme to the UK Sentencing Act, designed to alleviate prison overcrowding.

This development has been met with widespread public opposition, with over one million signatures now committed to a petition demanding these prisoners serve their full sentences.

In an effort to back this petition up, branch chair Lisa is calling for both police personnel and members of the public to express the strength of this feeling to their local MPs.

Lisa said: “It has been encouraging to see so many people, both inside and outside of policing, come together so quickly and sign this petition, in what has proved a real statement of intent around our collective attitude to the possibility of early release for these individuals.

“If it wasn’t already, it should now be clear that there are many of us who will never support or agree with this potential decision.

“For the killers of PC Harper to even be in contention for early release from prison is simply unacceptable, and it can never be allowed to happen.

“With momentum on our side, it is important we keep making our voices heard, and an effective way to do this is by contacting your local MP.

“A polite but firm message to your MP is something that has to be taken onboard ahead of the return of Parliament in September, where we can hopefully begin to see changes and preventions put in place around the early release scheme.”

READ MORE AND FIND YOUR LOCAL MP: https://bit.ly/4gsrkTW

We have reached 1 million signatures.

This is fantastic news!

Thank you for getting behind this petition for what is for the good and the greater!

We have reached 1 million signatures on our petition to stop the early release from jail of PC Andrew Harper's killers.

We would like to thank each and every person who has signed our petition for their support on this important issue.

With the 7th anniversary of Andrew's death tomorrow, we have chosen to acknowledge this important milestone without fanfare, out of respect to his family at this difficult time.

💐 BRANCH CHAIR INSPIRED BY POLICE UNITY TOUR

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Lisa Flanagan attended the National Memorial Arboretum on Sunday (9 August) for this year’s Care of Police Survivors (COPS) Service of Remembrance, commemorating officers who have died in the line of duty.

The annual event marked the closing of the 2026 Police Unity Tour (PUT), after cyclists from across the country - including 10 Derbyshire Constabulary personnel - arrived at the arboretum in Staffordshire as the end destination of their charity bike ride.

Lisa was also joined by Acting Chief Constable Simon Blatchly, with the service representing an opportunity to honour the lives of fallen officers.

“The service was absolutely beautiful, and with the weather being so nice, you could feel the warmth of the policing family coming together more than ever,” said Lisa.

“It was nice to see the family and friends of our fallen colleagues, and I hope they were able to take some comfort from the event, in terms of their loved one clearly being remembered by the profession they once gave so much to.

“It’s so important that they continue to feel included and supported, and the work of COPS also helps to achieve that all year round. It was great to know that everything that went on at the arboretum, added together with this year’s PUT, was raising money for such a crucial charity."

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4hsnM6j
Derbyshire Constabulary

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FREEING OFFICER KILLERS WOULD 'LET DOWN' FALLEN COLLEAGUES

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Lisa Flanagan has described newly proposed changes to the UK Sentencing Act which could see the killers of police officers granted early release from prison as ‘unacceptable’.

In an effort to alleviate prison overcrowding, the Government had previously announced its intention to bring in the phased early release of around 5000 inmates starting this October.

This would be in addition to the approximate 4,500 prisoners already being released each month across the country.

After becoming Prime Minister last month, Andy Burnham sought an urgent review into the policy, and this intervention has resulted in the exclusion of certain high-risk offenders from the scheme, who have been deemed too dangerous for it to apply to.

But while branch chair Lisa may agree with this decision in principle, she has voiced criticism for the fact that those convicted for the deaths of police officers have not been included in this barred list.

She said: “I am extremely disappointed to see that the people responsible for the deaths of police officers still have the possibility of early release from prison.

“It is especially frustrating when clearly, the Government now recognises some offenders simply cannot be in line to benefit from this policy, but for some reason, they have stopped short of including the killers of officers.

“Those convicted of such a serious crime should serve the sentences handed down by the courts and not be considered for early release, under any circumstances."

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/4bqjcBK

🚴 POLICE UNITY TOUR - FED MEMBERS ALL SET FOR 2026 EVENT

Derbyshire Police Federation members are setting off on the 2026 Police Unity Tour (PUT) today (Friday 7 August), carrying with them the memories of fallen colleagues as they take on the weekend-long charity bike ride.

A longstanding fixture in the policing calendar, the annual PUT is now in its 14th year in the UK. The event honours police officers who have died in the line of duty while raising vital awareness and funds for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) charity.

COPS supports the families of those officers, often referred to as 'survivors', by providing counselling, financial assistance and opportunities to connect with others who understand their loss.

As part of the East Midlands chapter, 10 officers and staff from Derbyshire Constabulary will cycle 180 miles through five counties before finishing at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Sunday (9 August).

There, they will join riders from across the country and the wider policing family for the Annual Service of Remembrance, bringing this year's Police Unity Tour to a poignant close.

Branch chair Lisa Flanagan has wished the team well as they begin day one of the challenge – traditionally the longest stage of the route.

"This year's Police Unity Tour is finally here, and we're incredibly proud of the members from our branch who have been preparing for this moment for many months," said Lisa, who will be attending Sunday’s service.

"It's easy to see why so many people regard it as one of the most rewarding weekends in policing. It brings officers and staff together away from the demands of the job to take on a shared challenge, support one another and, most importantly, remember the colleagues we've lost."

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/4gimDNu

FREEING OFFICER KILLERS WOULD 'LET DOWN' FALLEN COLLEAGUES

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Lisa Flanagan has described newly proposed changes to the UK Sentencing Act which could see the killers of police officers granted early release from prison as ‘unacceptable’.

In an effort to alleviate prison overcrowding, the Government had previously announced its intention to bring in the phased early release of around 5000 inmates starting this October.

This would be in addition to the approximate 4,500 prisoners already being released each month across the country.

After becoming Prime Minister last month, Andy Burnham sought an urgent review into the policy, and this intervention has resulted in the exclusion of certain high-risk offenders from the scheme, who have been deemed too dangerous for it to apply to.

But while branch chair Lisa may agree with this decision in principle, she has voiced criticism for the fact that those convicted for the deaths of police officers have not been included in this barred list.

She said: “I am extremely disappointed to see that the people responsible for the deaths of police officers still have the possibility of early release from prison.

“It is especially frustrating when clearly, the Government now recognises some offenders simply cannot be in line to benefit from this policy, but for some reason, they have stopped short of including the killers of officers.

“Those convicted of such a serious crime should serve the sentences handed down by the courts and not be considered for early release, under any circumstances."

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/4bqjcBK

🫵 HAVE YOUR SAY!

There are only a few days left to have your say on the annual Pay and Morale Survey.

It gives Derbyshire Police Federation members the chance to have their say on pay, wellbeing and the challenges of policing.

The survey also provides valuable insight into the experiences of rank-and-file officers and helps build the evidence base that the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) uses to campaign on issues including pay, working conditions, wellbeing and retention.

The survey will provide members with an opportunity to make their views on the pay award heard, as well as to highlight the wider issues in policing.

Don't miss out. Complete the survey here 👉 https://bit.ly/458rUAU

📈 MENTAL HEALTH FIGURES ARE 'RINGING ALARM BELLS'

Derbyshire Police Federation secretary Chris Parker says a 43 per cent rise in the number of officers off work due to their mental health should ‘ring alarm bells for everyone’.

A total of 308 Derbyshire officers were signed off from work due to stress, depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during 2025/26.

That’s an increase of 93 officers compared with 215 the previous year.

Nationally, a record 19,443 officers were signed off with stress, depression, anxiety, or PTSD in 2025/26, a rise of 9.5 per cent on the previous year.

Chris said: “These figures should ring alarm bells for everyone.

“Every day our members face traumatic incidents and relentless demand. They are expected to absorb the pressures of modern policing and to do so much with so little, which is taking its toll.

“It is no surprise that more officers are being signed off with depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD.

“Police officers are incredibly resilient, but resilience is not an unlimited resource. We cannot keep expecting officers to shoulder ever-increasing pressure without consequences."

HEAR MORE FROM CHRIS: https://bit.ly/4ySLy1E