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Superintendents’ Association marks 70 years of workforce support

The Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) is marking its 70th anniversary, sharing the thoughts and reflections of national officers who have served over the past decade.
 
The PSA represents police officers at the rank of superintendent and chief superintendent across 49 forces, and serves as a positive and influential voice for the wider service.
 
In 1952, the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales was formed as a result of the recommendations of the Oaksey Committee, 33 years after the Police Act created the Police Federation.
 
Prior to this, there was no representation for the superintending ranks, and it wasn’t until 1920 that the early beginnings of an association were formed, with the establishment of four permanent district conferences for superintendents and a central committee in 1921.
 
In 1963, the PSA received its first permanent member of staff, and from 1977, a chief superintendent was seconded to a post within the association. In 1985 the PSA opened its permanent HQ in Pangbourne, Berkshire, which was refurbished in 2020.
 
Over the past 70 years, the association has been heavily involved in influencing national policy and decision making in support of its members and the police workforce.  To mark the anniversary, it is releasing a short filming capturing the memories and reflections of some of the association’s recent presidents, vice presidents and national secretaries.
 
 PSA President Paul Fotheringham explains: “Marking 70 years is an incredible milestone for our association and something we are proud to celebrate.
 
 “For seven decades, association representatives and national officers have been working to support the best interests of superintendents and chief superintendents who are the most senior operational police officers across our service.
 
 “The influence of the PSA has been quite incredible. From fighting for fair pay in the 1953 Willink Commission, supporting a review of negotiating machinery under Lord Edmund-Davies in 1977, right through to securing the definition of a working week for superintendents in 2021, so that those who work part-time or flexibly are not penalised with their pay. 
 
 “Despite the fact that the policing landscape has changed drastically over the past 70 years, the core issues affecting police officers have not, nor have the values that sit at the heart of our association.  For decades, superintendents and all police officers have been putting themselves in harm’s way to support and protect communities, and the work of our association is to support them in return.
 
 “Our recent projects such as our Peer Support Programme, which pairs members with colleagues to provide informal help and support, and our Future Supers Programme, which supports under-represented colleagues with career development, all show out continued focus on the wellbeing of our people.  Something I am extremely passionate about, and something I am confident will remain at our core for the next 70 years.”