Who should speak for rank-and-file police officers in 2026 and beyond – and should they have a real choice? In this third conversation, co-founder of the National Police Association (NPA) Martin Buhagiar joins Policing TV to look ahead: from the ongoing judicial review bid to break the Police Federation’s statutory monopoly, to how a new staff association could offer legal support, welfare and representation built for today’s policing.
Martin discusses funding the legal challenge, what alternative representation might actually look like on day one, and how the NPA plans to work alongside existing networks such as the National Black Police Association and Trojan Wellbeing. He also explains why he believes competition, transparency and genuine choice could transform staff representation for officers across England and Wales.
Takeaways
- The National Police Association aims to provide better representation for police officers.
- Judicial review is a critical step for the association’s establishment.
- Many officers want modern, forward-looking staff representation.
- The association seeks to address complaints from police officers about current representation.
- Collaboration with existing groups is essential for a unified approach.
- NPA plans to offer legal, welfare and insurance support from launch.
- Founders are ex-Federation leaders who previously spoke out on bad practice.
- Early talks with partners suggest strong interest in supporting an alternative.
- NPA is currently volunteer-run and building towards being “ready on day one.”
- The association is actively seeking donations to support its judicial review.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the National Police Association
01:07 Vision for the Future of Policing
03:24 Judicial Review and Its Implications
06:05 Challenges of Establishing a New Association
09:50 Engagement and Support for the Association
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