Defence Police Federation

02/09/2026

Following a competitive tender process, the DPF Group Insurance Scheme will move to Gallagher from 1st October.

The cost to members will remain unchanged, with existing cover maintained and a number of additional and enhanced benefits introduced.

Read the full circular on the DPF website for details of the changes and new benefits - https://dpf.org.uk/group-insurance-scheme-october-2026/

Further information, including policy booklets, claims details and contact information, will be published shortly.

To All Members Circular 35/26 This circular is to inform those who are members of the Group Insurance Scheme that your scheme will renew on 1st October 2026. After a competitive tender process, the Scheme has been moved to Gallagher Group Insurance. We are confident that the scheme continues to offe...

01/09/2026

DPF General Secretary Darren Mitchell and National Chair Eamon Keating met with Lord Vernon Coaker, the Minister responsible for the Ministry of Defence Police. It was an excellent meeting, with some valuable and wide-ranging discussions.

Lord Coaker asked us to pass on to members that he is incredibly impressed with the work of our officers, not only at Whitehall but across the wide range of roles they carry out nationally. He also expressed his strong support for the critical role MDP officers play in national security.

30/08/2026

A welcomed announcement from the PM this morning.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to sign this petition and for the relentless hard work Thames Valley Police Federation have dedicated to this campaign 💙.

Prime Minister Announces PC Andrew Harper's Killers To Stay In Jail - following relentless Thames Valley Police Federation Campaign.

Chair Aileen O'Connor reacts after Andy Burnham announced this morning the killers of PC Andrew Harper would now NOT be eligible for early release.

Aileen said: “PC Andrew Harper made the ultimate sacrifice for the job that he loved, serving communities, serving society.

“His killers should never have been considered for early release. It remains shocking that they were.

“We are pleased that the Government - despite what was frankly initial reluctance – has eventually listened, seen sense and made the right decision to keep these lowlifes behind bars.

“They had no option.

“The weight of public and policing opinion against such plans was overwhelming.

“The fact that more than 1 million people signed our petition over this was a historic public backing for police officers.

“The fact 50 Chief Constables across the UK wrote an open letter calling for the Government to reconsider was unprecedented.

“The right and proper decision has been made.”

Aileen added: “There is wider good news here that – as a result of our campaigning work – a wider collection of criminals will not be eligible for early release so there is better news today for many more families.”

Aileen concluded: “We would like to offer huge thanks to everyone who backed our campaign.

“The one million people who signed our petition and all those who offered messages of support. You have made a difference.

“Police officers put themselves in harm's way every day.

“They head towards danger when everyone else is running away.

“They do so knowing that they may never come home to their families. We have only seen in recent days in Cleveland, the danger colleagues face.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades.

“And – as always – our thoughts remain with Andrew’s wife Lissie, his family, friends and close colleagues in Thames Valley Police.”

27/08/2026

Our National Chair Eamon Keating, along with his wife Elaine, had the privilege of representing the Defence Police Federation today at the funeral of our former Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police, Jack Aspinall QPM.

The Ministry of Defence Police were represented by Superintendent Lofthouse and Inspector Harfield, with representatives from the Royal Military Police also in attendance.

Representatives of the Retired Officers Association of the Ministry of Defence Police were also present.
This was an organisation Jack had established before he left his position as Chief Constable in 1990.

Eamon said “It was a real privilege to represent the Federation at Jack’s funeral and to pay our respects to a true gentleman, as well as to his family”.

Rest in peace, Jack. You will be remembered with great respect.

26/08/2026

National Chair Eamon Keating, General Secretary Darren Mitchell and Northern Area Secretary Mick Reynolds spent two days at Coulport last week, meeting members and discussing some of the key matters currently affecting them.

The visit provided an opportunity for conversations across a range of topics, including OPM, accommodation, promotion, overtime and recruitment.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with Eamon, Darren and Mick over the two days. The issues raised will feed into the Federation’s ongoing work on behalf of members.

24/08/2026

Our thoughts remain with the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of PC Tom Clough and PC Matthew Blades following their tragic deaths.

Eamon Keating, our National Chair said “It is incredibly sad to hear of the loss of two serving police officers who went to work to protect and serve the public, and who should have returned home to their loved ones. My deepest condolences are with both families, their friends and colleagues, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss.”

A JustGiving page has been set up by Cleveland Police Federation to support the officers’ families, and donations can be made here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/pc-matthew-blades-and-pc-thomas-clough

23/08/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and colleagues of PC Mathew Blades and PC Tom Clough at this difficult time.

"We are a small force, and losses like this are felt deeply... Matthew and Tom were not just colleagues... they were friends, teammates and valued members of the policing family"

A personal message from Lauren Somerville, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, following today's tragic events.

"The tragic loss of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough has had a profound impact on colleagues across the force and the wider policing family.

"They were 37 and 38.

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with their families, friends and loved ones as they face an unimaginable loss.

"Today, our priority is ensuring that officers and staff receive the support they need. We recognise that incidents such as this affect people in different ways, and it is vital that everyone has access to the welfare support, guidance and care available to them.

"We are working closely with the force to support all officers and staff affected by this tragedy. A great deal of work is taking place behind the scenes to ensure that colleagues are looked after and that appropriate support is available both now and in the weeks ahead.

"We are a small force, and losses like this are felt deeply. Matthew and Tom were not just colleagues; they were friends, teammates and valued members of the policing family.

"Their loss will be felt by our whole police family.

"The coming days and weeks will be unimaginably hard and incredibly emotional for those who knew them. As the immediate shock begins to settle, we know that many colleagues will continue to need support - and we are committed to ensuring that help remains available for as long as it is needed.

"At times like these, policing comes together.

"We will continue to work together with the force to support officers, staff and the families affected by this tragedy. By standing together and looking after one another, we will honour Matthew and Tom's memory and help our colleagues through what will be a very difficult period.

"We will also offer their families whatever support they need."

21/08/2026

Could Flint House Police Rehabilitation support you?

From physical rehabilitation following an injury or operation to mental health support, Flint House Police Rehabilitation provides specialist care for members of the police service, including MDP officers.

Support isn't limited to something that happens at work. Flint House can help with a range of injuries, illnesses and mental health needs, whether work-related or not.

As a charity, Flint House relies on regular donations from the police community to help provide its services. Regular donations can currently be made by Direct Debit from £7.37 a month.

To apply for care at Flint House, eligible serving or retired officers must be making a regular donation, with all applications subject to clinical review.

By donating, you're helping Flint House continue to provide specialist care across the police service while also making that support available to you should you need it.

Find out more:

Visit Flint House to find out more about its services and eligibility, and to set up a regular donation:

www.flinthouse.co.uk/donate-to-our-charity/

17/08/2026

Our Northern Area Secretary recently visited RAF Mildenhall Branch where Mick caught up with officers on duty and the Federation Branch Representative, hearing about some of the matters affecting the station, including current operational issues, local developments and updates on accommodation.

He also spoke with members of the OSU who were on site during the visit.

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to chat and for the warm welcome. Mick will take the points raised away and follow up where needed.

14/08/2026

More than one million people have now added their voice

The petition calling for the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers to be stopped has now passed one million signatures.

We recently shared our support for Lissie Harper MBE, PC Harper’s family and our policing colleagues and we continue to stand with them as the campaign gathers further support.

If you haven’t yet signed the petition, you can add your name here:

Petition to stop the early release from jail of PC Andrew Harper's killers