The Tortoise Podcast

Broken ranks: civil war in the police fed


Published: 29 April 2025 at 06:00 Europe/London

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Episode notes

Police officers aren’t allowed to strike or join a trade union. They rely instead on an organisation called the Police Federation to represent their interests. It’s a surprisingly powerful body that ultimately affects the way all of us are policed. This is the story of how it lost its way. 


Reporter: John Simpson

Producer: Katie Gunning

Sound design: Dominic Delargy

Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp

Editor: Jasper Corbett


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