Police workforce and representative institutions Police Federation
The Police Federation for England and Wales ("the Police Federation") represents the interests of police officers below the rank of superintendent (namely, constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors). It was created in 1919 to represent officers, reflecting the fact that police officers are members of a disciplined service with an obligation to protect the public and, as such, are prohibited from joining a trade union or taking industrial action.
	In spring 2013 the Police Federation commissioned a review to consider whether any changes were required to its operation or structure in order to ensure that it continued to promote the public good as well as the interests and welfare of its members. This review was conducted by an independent panel, chaired by Sir David Normington GCB.
	The panel’s final report, Police Federation Independent Review, was published in January 2014 and made 36 recommendations, to improve trust and public accountability, transparency, professionalism and member services, including:
	The adoption of a revised core purpose which reflects the Police Federation’s commitment to act in the public interest; and
	Greater national oversight and transparency of Police Federation finances, including a requirement to publish all accounts and income and to co-ordinate resources centrally.
	The report recommended that: "the starting point should be a revised statutory purpose for the Federation which sets a new tone and commitment, recognises the reality of its accountability to its members and the public and incorporates a commitment to new standards of conduct and transparency..."and that in order to achieve this, a revised core purpose "should be incorporated in legislation as soon as practicable" (pages 16 and 17).
	The final report was endorsed by the Home Affairs Select Committee (recommendation 3 of the Committee’s Report, Reform of the Police Federation, 18th Report of Session 2013/14, HC1163) and by the Home Secretary in her speech to the Police Federation annual conference in May 2014. At the conference the Police Federation accepted all 36 recommendations and has adopted a revised core purpose that includes acting ''in the interests of the members of the public".
	In her speech at the Police Federation Annual Conference in May 2015, the Home Secretary committing the government to enshrining the revised core purpose in legislation.
	The Home Secretary also stated in her speech that she would bring forward proposals to make the Police Federation subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("FOI Act"). The primary objective of the FOI Act is to increase the openness, transparency and accountability of those bodies subject to the Act. The provision of information under the FOI Act enables greater transparency about how public money is spent and greater scrutiny of public services. It allows the public to gain information about services and decisions that affect them and to hold bodies to account for those decisions. In a written ministerial statement (Official Report, 12 March 2015, WS387) the Home Secretary announced the publication of a draft section setting out how the FOI Act could be applied to the Police Federation.
	Sections 49 and 50 give effect to these reforms of the Police Federation.