Merseyside Police Federation

Upcoming Family Law clinic for colleagues

Kirsten Bennett is a dedicated Family Law Solicitor for Merseyside Police Federation.

Kirsten and her team offer members a free initial 60-minute consultation, a reduced fixed fee Divorce and discounted hourly rates.

They specialise in all areas of matrimonial law including divorce, finances and pension on divorce, child arrangements, cohabitation and civil partnership disputes.

If you cannot make the surgery date at Federation office, then please feel free to contact Kirsten on [email protected] to arrange a free consultation directly.

The 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line is an independent and confidential service for anyone working in policing experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts.

If you’re in crisis, and need help now, call 03001312789

https://www.oscarkilo.org.uk/crisis-line

Congratulations to PC Frank Stevens, PC Neil Fogg and Sgt Paul McEneany who have received the Police Licensing Excellence Award 2026 for their work on Operation Halo.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1423377739831147&id=100064768030760&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=TWC1PtWj5jkoAV02 #

Police officers who have given decades of service to this country have had their retirement plans changed overnight.

This week, the Government introduced new commutation factors for officers in the 1987 Police Pension Scheme following a Treasury decision to increase the SCAPE discount rate.

While the terminology may sound technical, the impact on retiring officers is very real.

From today, officers retiring under the 1987 scheme will receive almost 5% less in lump sum payments for giving up the same amount of annual pension than an officer retiring just last week. For many, that represents a loss of thousands of pounds with immediate effect.

What makes this particularly concerning is the speed of the change.
Many officers have only recently received retirement quotations and benefit illustrations based on the previous figures.

Those figures inform major life decisions, mortgages, debt repayments, supporting family members and long-term retirement planning.

Now, with no warning, no transition period and no protections, the goalposts have moved.

The Police Federation is now seeking independent actuarial and legal advice on:
• the scale and justification for the changes
• whether officers who relied on recent quotations may have suffered financial detriment
• What legal remedies may be available

Police Federation National Secretary John Partington said:
“After decades of service, the ‘thanks’ retiring officers get is this: government quietly shaving cash off a hard-earned retirement overnight. It’s a blatant case of picking the pockets of police pensioners, and we will not let it stand.”

Police officers cannot strike. They cannot freely negotiate pay. Throughout their careers, they miss birthdays, rest days, weekends, and family milestones in service to the public.

The least they should expect is certainty and fairness when they retire.

Members, please check your emails for further information and guidance on the changes announced this week.

Add your voice to thousands who have 👇
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=IJTX9mriHUe68V29n-n68x6or_dn_91EhYtIqAFCmSRUM0NKUlVLMTdYQjFUTTNWQzdMNFpXSVVSMSQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

The MPF Charitable Trust was delighted to recently present a cheque for £17,000 to Aftermath Support following the Annual Charity Event in Liverpool.

The charity’s supports those affected by serious road traffic collisions in the Northwest of England.

Find out more here https://aftermathsupport.org.uk/

There were 350 guests in attendance at our charity event and The MPF Charitable Trust thanks them all for their generous support.

It’s through the amazing support of sponsors, supporters and the fabulous organisations that return year on year that has made the 2026 event another sparkling success.

The MPF Charitable Trust would also like to thank the wonderful stewards at the event for volunteering and working so hard and all the brilliant organisations, companies and individuals who donated prizes.

The MPF Charitable Trust looks forward to the event returning in 2027!

The MPF Charitable Trust was delighted to recently present a cheque for £17,000 to the Bobby Colleran Trust following the Annual Charity Event in Liverpool.

The charity’s mission is to protect, support, and empower children by advocating for safer roads and providing essential mental health services.
Find out more here https://www.thebobbycollerantrust.org.uk/

There were 350 guests in attendance at our charity event and The MPF Charitable Trust thanks them all for their generous support.

It’s through the amazing support of sponsors, supporters and the fabulous organisations that return year on year that has made the 2026 event another sparkling success.

The MPF Charitable Trust would also like to thank the wonderful stewards at the event for volunteering and working so hard and all the brilliant organisations, companies and individuals who donated prizes.

The MPF Charitable Trust looks forward to the event returning in 2027!

A Merseyside Police sergeant who swam 150 metres into rough open water to save a woman from drowning in Liverpool Bay has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards.

Congratulations Sergeant David Hicks.

On Saturday 17 August 2024, officers were alerted by the Coastguard to two people struggling in the water between Meols Parade and Leasowe Lighthouse. Response officers were first on scene, sprinting 500 metres along the shoreline to reach the first casualty, who had managed to make it out of the water.

After a rapid assessment, Sergeant David Hicks continued another 500 metres before spotting the second casualty drifting faceup around 150 metres offshore, repeatedly slipping beneath the surface in a strong outgoing current.

With no confirmed arrival time for Coastguard or RNLI crews and recognising the woman was moments from drowning, PS Hicks made a split‑second decision. He grabbed a life ring, entered the water and began swimming out to her, with a member of public joining him to help.

Fighting the current, he reached the woman, who was drifting in and out of consciousness and struggling to breathe. He secured her onto the life ring, kept her airway clear and began the exhausting swim back to shore while supporting her weight, with assistance from the member of public. Colleagues on land used a throw line to pull both to safety.

It is believed in the seven minutes between PS Hicks first sighting the casualty and the arrival of rescue crews, the woman would almost certainly have drowned without his intervention.

PS Hicks placed himself in significant danger to save a life, demonstrating exceptional courage, leadership and determination. His actions reflect the highest standards of Merseyside Police and the commitment officers show every day to protect the public, even at great personal risk.

Merseyside Police Federation Chair Chris McGlade said: “Police officers join the service to keep our communities safe and prevent them from harm. PS Hicks actions during this extremely challenging incident exemplified this commitment, confronted with a life‑threatening situation in treacherous water conditions, he acted without hesitation, placing the safety and survival of another person firmly before his own.

“Through exceptional courage and decisive leadership, PS Hicks’s actions directly saved a life, and it is fitting we acknowledge and honour his actions accordingly.”

Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “Merseyside Police is built on the commitment of exceptional people who work tirelessly to protect local communities and Sergeant David Hicks epitomises our work.

“We don’t often get the chance to pause and reflect on the incredible work of our officers, and this is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate Sergeant Hicks for making a real difference.

“I am immensely proud of the bravery and dedication he demonstrated during this extremely demanding incident. His decisive actions have enabled him to reach the woman and bring her back to safety.

“It serves as a real reminder of what public service is all about and I want to congratulate Sergeant David Hicks on his thoroughly deserved award.”

Tributes have been paid to Ministry of Defence Police officer PC Mark Chester after he died on his way home from work on Saturday 2nd May.

PC Chester was posted with the MDP Portsmouth Marine Unit and previously worked with Surrey Police.

A colleague said: "Mark was an amazing man and friend to many. Portsmouth is much poorer without him now."

The Care of Police Survivors Charity said: "Thoughts are with PC Chester's family, friends and colleagues at the Ministry of Defence Police at this incredibly difficult time."

Darren Pemble, Chair of Surrey Police Federation, said: "Mark was well liked and had a great sense of humour. He was a good police officer.

"All at Surrey Police Federation offer Mark's family our support and condolences."

Upcoming webinar will bring together stakeholders to address the current challenges, priorities, and developments facing Detectives across policing.

https://pfewevents.org/detectives-online-seminar

Today we remember our colleagues PC James William Byers (35) and PC Norman Harold Jones (53) who both died on this day in 1983 when they were struck by a car while at the scene of a motorway accident.