Hampshire Police Federation chairman John Apter running to become Police Federation of England leader

John Apter says he will unify the Police Federation of England and Wales and has made things such as safety at work and helping officers who are victims of assault.

As chair of Hampshire Police Federation, Mr Apter has carried out work on officer assaults, including the implementation of a seven-point plan across the country on how forces should investigate such attacks and is now looking to implement his work on a national scale.

Mr Apter, who joined Hampshire Constabulary in 1992, said: ‘I know what their priorities are because I talk to them day in, day out.

‘Their priorities are about getting annual leave, feeling safe at work, having the tools they need to do the job, making sure that the courts support them if they’re assaulted and making sure their bosses understand that wellbeing strategy is more than just a bit of paper.

‘If we are to remain credible to our members we have got to become far more cohesive and work as one.

‘Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because we will achieve far more.’

He added: ‘I care about policing and I care about those who deliver policing.

‘As their representative body we must ensure we speak for them about what matters to them. They deserve nothing less.’