UK News 18-12-2001 Police To Hold Mass Protest Demo who: Fred Broughton, chairman of the Police Federation what: Threatens mass demo in protest over reform bill where: SHEFFIELD when: Next year snippet: "Rank and file police leaders are considering holding a mass rally in Sheffield, the home of the Home Secretary, David Blunkett," reports The Telegraph, "to protest against his plans for reform of the service." The Police Federation is threatening the action over Mr Blunkett`s plans for cuts in overtime and the introduction of a new force of civilian "community support officers". But the minister countered by quipping to the House of Commons that officers ought to be "securing our streets", not demonstrating on them. In a speech today, the Federation`s chairman Fred Broughton will say Mr Blunkett has "deeply insulted" his members, reports The Guardian. "That`s no way to motivate the people you need to make changes work," he will say - with particular reference to sick pay reforms which, he says, unfairly brands officers as "inefficient and lazy". Mr Blunkett is lucky that the police are legally banned from strike action, points out The Independent`s leader today. But he is not only brave, but right, says the article which - while expressing some scepticism about the value of civilian patrols - concludes that "reform is essential". [... more]

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