To ask you to have a look at this report?

[Tiredtrout]

I know there have been a few threads recently about the changes to police pay and conditions and their pensions. I also know that there a some people on here who will have polar opposite views about it, some think we do a wonderful job, others, not so much.

Please can I ask you to have a look at this whatwinsormeans.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/what-winsor-means/

This report is what I and my friends and colleagues are worried sick about. As many of us have already said we don't just do this for the pay. It's because of genuinely wanting to help and make a difference. There is no other job like it. It takes over your whole life. Many of us are seriously considering if we can carry on with the changes ahead. Everyone I know has taken a paycut in real terms already.

What I find clever on behalf of the powers that be is that they've put recruitment freezes in place, so you have all these wonderful people who are desperate to join up, but they've recently reallowed people to train up as 'specials' - all the powers of a PC but no pay. Great ruse! People get their 'fix', the police get their man power and absolutely no cost to the force other than training.

The government have the police over a barrel over everything really as they have no right to strike. I really feel sorry for them. They do a very very difficult job.

It's scary how much Winsor is suggesting is to be changed. Most of the part1 suggestions were implemented and I can see that if will go the same way with this one.

My force has already started using this as a level of qualification for recruitment. My friend who's worked in our control room for years and is a special was paper sifted because she has no Alevels but they are still happy for her to do the job for free

I tried to read it but a lot of it went over my head...what in a nutshell are the worst bits? Do you think this could begin a strike?

And can I add...when I heard some murmers of this on the radio the other day ALL they talked about was the fitness tests...it was BB Radio 4 and yet they took a totally Daily Mail approach to it..."Ooh did you know a large portion of PCs are fat and unfit? Yes...and they're moaning about these changes which are being mooted"

Why didn't they mention the stuff in that report? Just read it again btw and it seems shocking. Did they just want to minimize the other things and in making out that Pcs were unhappy with the fitness tests, made them out to be a load of fat moaning lazy arses???

They are just minimising the other points to force it through on the quiet and to make out that we are being unreasonable. The Pensions already started to be fiddled with by changing the inflation index used for it and by upping the retirement age.

Most of us joined thinking we knew how long we will be in for, the security is one of the things that makes it worthwhile. That will be gone. The pdr is an annual appraisal we all write, if they're going to wart forcing us out on being in the bottom 10% based on what's written in it, some people with very shiny backsides will be staying in the nick writing while those that work outside patrolling will suffer

We are not allowed to strike it is an imprison able offence. The ballot will merely show strength of feeling and truth be told, most officers wouldn't strike anyway

Can I just point out there are lots of jobs than can take over your whole life, and are beneficial to others. Im sat here taking a break from mines which I have working at since 8am this morning.

Otherwise I agree with a lot of the points you make. Theres a lot of "spin" going on about a lot of the changes that are happening now across the board.

Good grief I never knew that Tired how fascinating....no strikes allowed...who'd have thought it.

Rhonda, I know and I am totally against alot of changes that are being suggested to other areas in the public sector. I also think its disgusting that changes are being brought in to dla. The problem that police have is that most people like teachers, love fireman, love nurses, accept social workers but not many feel like that about police and are believing everything said in the media.

Mary, I know people keep talking about the right to strike but if all protection for us is gone and we still have no right to strike then we have no Protection