Representing Thin Blue Line UK, Trustees Bev and Jack travelled to Hammersmith, London, to attend the Police Federation of England and Wales Annual Conference, "The Real State of Policing", on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October 2026, joining policing leaders, Federation representatives, policing organisations, politicians and partners from across England and Wales.

The two-day conference brought together Police Federation representatives, policing leaders, key stakeholders and senior politicians from across England and Wales to discuss the challenges facing modern policing, celebrate outstanding achievements and examine what more must be done to support those who serve on the frontline. For Thin Blue Line UK, the event provided an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with delegates from all 43 Police Federation branches, raising awareness of the support available through the charity and ensuring officers know where they can turn when they need help.

In the days leading up to the conference, and again in the hours following the event, Bev and Jack visited police stations across London, spending time with officers from both the City of London Police and Metropolitan Police Service. These visits enabled the charity's trustees to speak directly with officers about their wellbeing, check in on how they were coping personally and professionally, and explain the wide range of support available through Thin Blue Line UK.

Throughout the conference, our charities trustees Jack and Bev highlighted the charity's commitment to supporting serving and retired police officers through free and confidential mental health and wellbeing resources designed to help build resilience and improve wellbeing. Delegates also learned about the charity's partnership with THRIVE, which provides access to qualified online therapy sessions where appropriate and requested.

Representatives from Police Federations across England and Wales were also introduced to several other initiatives delivered by Thin Blue Line UK, including annual wellbeing retreats, opportunities for officers to attend Police Week events, and the charity's Care Package programme, which supports officers who have experienced extraordinary, traumatic or particularly challenging incidents.

Delegates were also reminded that Police Federations, forces and policing organisations can order a range of wellbeing materials free of charge from the charity, including wellbeing posters, therapy referral cards and a variety of awareness resources. These resources can still be ordered by Police Federation branches through the charity's websites dedicated Police Federation of England and Wales Annual Conference, "The Real State of Policing" page by clicking HERE.

The conference also provided a fantastic opportunity to network with organisations from across the policing family. During the event, the trustees held a number of productive conversations with representatives from Slater and Gordon Solicitors, Gallagher Group Insurance, No.1 CopperPot Credit Union and the National Police Healthcare Scheme, exploring opportunities to further strengthen support for officers and their families.

The conference was also attended by a range of senior political figures, including the Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition, Kemi Badenoch and Chris Phelp the Shadow Home Secretary alongside a number of national policing leaders and stakeholders.

Jack a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK said, "The Police Federation Annual Conference has been a fantastic experience for Thin Blue Line UK and a valuable opportunity to engage with Federation representatives from all 43 branches across England and Wales. We've been able to have some incredibly positive conversations about officer wellbeing, share the support available through the charity and build new relationships with organisations that are equally committed to supporting the policing family. It has also been inspiring to hear from senior policing leaders, stakeholders and partners from across the sector, while taking the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of officers who continue to go above and beyond in service of the public. The professionalism, compassion and dedication recognised throughout the conference has been a powerful reminder of the incredible people within policing, and we are grateful to have been part of those conversations and celebrations".

Celebrating Excellence Across Policing

One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of police officers from across England and Wales.

Among those recognised was Gloucestershire Police Federation representative Constable Tania Kirby, who was named Federation Representative of the Year. A long-serving Federation representative, Tania was recognised for her unwavering support for colleagues, her determination to challenge organisational shortcomings and her professionalism in ensuring fair outcomes for officers while maintaining accountability where required.

The conference also recognised Constable Fiona Shaik Umar of the Metropolitan Police Service for her outstanding contribution to women in policing. Using both her lived experience and professional expertise, Fiona has become a powerful advocate for inclusion, helping women across policing feel supported, valued and able to thrive. Alongside her operational role, she has devoted significant voluntary time supporting colleagues, facilitating listening circles and providing support to Muslim officers and staff during periods of heightened tension and uncertainty.

Detective Inspector Suzanne Hall of West Yorkshire Police received the Detective of the Year Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership, investigative expertise and commitment to securing justice for victims and their families. Her work leading complex major crime investigations, while simultaneously supporting colleagues through demanding enquiries, exemplified the very best of policing.

The Operation Brooklyn Team from Avon and Somerset Police received the Detective Investigation of the Year Award for their outstanding work securing justice for five vulnerable children. Temporary Detective Inspector Lucy Forde, Detective Constable Beth Cook, Investigator Liz Hall, Detective Sergeant Tracey Champion, Detective Constable Seb Heming and the wider team were recognised for their meticulous and determined investigation under exceptionally challenging circumstances.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Jennifer Hussey from Dorset Police was named Response Sergeant of the Year, recognising her dedication, inspirational leadership and commitment to both operational performance and officer wellbeing.

Their achievements serve as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary work taking place every day across policing, often under immense pressure and scrutiny.

Jack a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK added, "One of the most inspiring aspects of this year's conference was the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of officers from across England and Wales. The award winners and nominees highlighted the very best of policing, from supporting colleagues and championing inclusion, to leading complex investigations and delivering outstanding service to victims and communities. Behind every award is a story of dedication, resilience, compassion and professionalism, often carried out under significant pressure and scrutiny. It was a privilege to hear their stories and celebrate their successes. Their achievements serve as a powerful reminder that, despite the challenges facing policing today, there are exceptional officers making a real difference every single day, and they deserve both recognition, praise and our sincere thanks".

Public Health Emergency in Policing

A key theme throughout the conference was the growing concern surrounding officer wellbeing. The Police Federation declared a public health emergency in British policing, highlighting the unacceptable toll that policing is taking on officers across England and Wales. Delegates heard how excessive workloads, growing demand, wellbeing concerns and the ongoing loss of experienced officers are creating conditions that require urgent national action.

The Federation called for an independent investigation into the health, wellbeing and welfare of officers during their first five years of service, bringing together both data and lived experience to identify meaningful and practical solutions. The Federation also renewed calls for national recording and reporting of police suicides and suicide attempts, common minimum wellbeing standards and improved suicide prevention training.

These are concerns that Thin Blue Line UK has long shared. In September 2025, the charity through trustee Andrea publicly described the mental health crisis affecting UK policing as a Critical Incident, calling on government, policing leaders and representative bodies to take urgent action to better protect officers and staff. You can read the TBLUK News article at the time by clicking HERE.

This is in addition to the fact that in January 2026 Thin Blue Line UK said in a TBLUK News Article that wellbeing must lead any reform in policing with the charity urging policing leaders to address the mental health crisis in policing. You can read the TBLUK News article at the time by clicking HERE.

Bev a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK explained, "The conversations we've had throughout this conference have reinforced what we see every day as a charity. Officers are carrying immense pressures, often while continuing to deliver an outstanding service to the public. The Police Federation's declaration of a public health emergency reflects the reality being experienced by many officers across the country. We must collectively move beyond recognising the problem and focus on delivering practical, accessible and effective support that genuinely makes a difference to officers and their families.

Thin Blue Line UK was founded by officers, for officers, and events like this are an important opportunity to ensure that every Police Federation branch understands exactly what support is available. Whether it's our wellbeing resources, access to professional therapy through THRIVE, wellbeing retreats, care packages or simply providing someone with a trusted place to turn, we are committed to standing alongside officers. We fully support calls for improved wellbeing standards, better suicide prevention measures and greater recognition of the pressures officers face. We cannot continue accepting a situation where nearly 20 officers a year lose their lives to suicide".

Protect the Protectors

The conference also allowed trustees to continue important discussions around the Protect the Protectors - Stop Racism Against Police campaign, which Thin Blue Line UK proudly supports. The charity formally joined the campaign in July 2026 and remains committed to standing alongside officers who experience racism while serving their communities.

Day Two of the conference included a powerful session led by Lee Sims, Chair of Humberside Police Federation, examining the impact of racism against police officers and the measures needed to better support those affected.

Thin Blue Line UK remains committed to working alongside Police Federations across the country to strengthen support for officers subjected to racism and discrimination while carrying out their duties. You can read the TBLUK News article to learn more about how Thin Blue Line UK fully support this campaign by clicking HERE.

Jack a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK added, "The discussions around the Protect the Protectors - Stop Racism Against Police campaign were an important part of this year's conference. No officer should ever face racism or discrimination simply for carrying out their duties and serving their communities. The session led by Lee Sims highlighted both the challenges that officers continue to face and the need for organisations across policing to work together to provide meaningful support. As a charity, Thin Blue Line UK is proud to support this campaign and remains committed to standing alongside officers who experience racism, ensuring they feel heard, supported and valued. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Police Federations across the country to help drive positive change and ensure every officer is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve".

Looking Ahead

The conference provided a unique opportunity for Thin Blue Line UK to showcase the support available to officers whilst also listening directly to the concerns, challenges and experiences of those serving across England and Wales.

Throughout the conference, the charity was clear that its role is to complement, not replace, the support services that police forces and organisations should already be providing to officers and staff. Through partnership working, collaboration and innovation, Thin Blue Line UK believes that meaningful improvements can be achieved for officer wellbeing.

The charity will continue to engage with policing partners, charities, representative organisations and government departments, including participation in Home Office roundtable discussions, to help shape practical, effective and accessible wellbeing support for officers across the United Kingdom. We also hope that we may continue working in partnership with other institutions such as Oscar Kilo to help forces build more healthy work environments for their police officers and staff.

As the conference drew to a close, one message remained clear: policing cannot continue asking officers to pay the price for an increasingly unsustainable system. The health and wellbeing of police officers and staff must be treated as a national priority, with real action taken to address the challenges facing those on the frontline.

Bev a Trustee of Thin Blue Line UK concluded "Attending this year's Police Federation Conference has reinforced something that Thin Blue Line UK has been highlighting for a long time, that the health and wellbeing of police officers must remain a national priority. While it was encouraging to see so many people committed to improving support for officers, it was equally important to hear directly from Federation representatives about the real challenges their members continue to face on the frontline. As a charity, we are proud to work alongside policing organisations, representative bodies and partners across the country to help bridge gaps in support and ensure officers know they are not alone. We fully support the calls for meaningful action to improve officer wellbeing and will continue to play our part through collaboration, innovation and by providing practical support that helps officers build resilience and access help when they need it most. Protecting those who protect the public is a responsibility shared by all of us, and one that must remain at the heart of policing conversations moving forward".

For Thin Blue Line UK, the event was an invaluable opportunity to promote the charity's work, strengthen relationships across the policing community and demonstrate how officers can continue supporting officers through shared understanding, lived experience and practical wellbeing support.

With the Police Federation of England and Wales declaring a public health emergency in policing, the conference reinforced the importance of the work being carried out by charities, staff associations and wellbeing organisations across the sector. Thin Blue Line UK remains committed to playing its part, providing free mental health and wellbeing resources, access to therapy through its partnership with THRIVE, wellbeing retreats, care packages and other initiatives designed to support officers when they need it most.

Thin Blue Line UK hopes as a charity to continue these important conversations at future Police Federation and other policing conferences as we move towards 2027 whilst further strengthening relationships with Police Federations across the country. Together, through collaboration and a shared commitment to officer wellbeing, meaningful progress can be made to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to protecting the public receive the support they deserve in return.