South Wales Police Federation welcomed a commitment from the new national chair to a continued fight for better pay and conditions for members.

Steve Treharne said Steve Hartshorn had the backing of the South Wales branch in his battle to improve working terms and conditions for members.

He said: “Our members have had a tough two years on the frontline of the pandemic and face testing times ahead as energy, fuel and food prices soar.

“We already know that before this cost of living crisis that pay was a huge issue for officers – and it’s only going to get worse as the economic reality hits home.

“It’s great to hear that our new chair is determined to improve pay and conditions, and we’ll work with him every step of the way for the good of our members”

The national chair said he was looking forward to working with South Wales Police Federation to make members’ voices heard.

Steve, who took up his post at the start of April, said: “I feel incredibly honoured to have been elected the next national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales.

“With this role comes the responsibility of standing up for our members and, working alongside the organisation’s National Board and National Council, I want us to push for policing.

“It is my genuine belief that collectively we can make our voices heard to secure a better deal for policing on pay.”

He added: “I’m really looking forward to working with our colleagues in England and Wales.

“My priority is to continue to build on the important steps we’ve taken in pushing for improved pay for police officers, as well as improving all their working terms and conditions of service.”

Steve joined the Met in 1995 before moving to the Force’s Firearms Command. The Federation’s firearms lead and National Board member became a Fed rep because he wanted to help colleagues going through a tough time.

He said: “I’ll continue to apply whatever pressure is necessary on the Government. Historically, governments have recognised the restrictions placed on police officers and were committed to ensuring they would suffer no detriment in terms of pay and conditions.

“Sadly, that no longer appears to be the case.  That deal has been reneged on, but there is an opportunity now to put that right.

“My door is open to the Government to have these vital discussions, and to have a relationship where there is mutual respect. I want open and honest dialogue where we can ask the difficult questions that our members need to hear the answers to.

“Most importantly, I want to achieve tangible and positive results for police officers in England and Wales.”

In July 2021, the Federation withdrew from the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) after recommendations were again disregarded by the Government seeing officers with no pay rise despite their efforts during the pandemic and the challenges they faced.

Last month, it launched an application for Judicial Review alongside the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association (CPOSA) and the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) seeking an independent police pay review mechanism.

Steve said: “Our members have suffered a 20 per cent real-terms cut in their pay since 2010 and this will increase further with costs of living increasing substantially. 

“The current pay mechanism is not fit for purpose so we will continue to fight on behalf of police officers in England and Wales. We need independent pay machinery, and we need Government to honour in full the recommendations of the pay review body.”