The new full-time Vice Chair of the Civil Nuclear Police Federation, Darren Adams, has said he hopes to support officers moving forward from what has been a challenging year for everyone.
Darren originally joined the Federation as a local representative 14 years ago and has been an executive member for the last three years, where he has acted as Vice Chair for the past 12 months before taking on the full-time role at the beginning of this year.
He said: "I think the biggest issue facing officers at the moment is the massive media onslaught and scrutiny they are coming under. Officers feel like their integrity is being questioned by the media and the public due to the actions of a few people. So I want to support them and offer reassurance that not everyone feels that way.
"A big part of my role is also to support our Fed Reps and help broaden and enrich their knowledge and their roles. I've recently organised for 10 Fed reps to undertake external conduct and performance training."
He continued: "I'm also helping to support Chief Executive Gary Thwaite and Chair Ian Muir in the Federation and I look forward to working closely with the senior leadership team as well as supporting the rank-and-file officers."
Darren joined the Civil Nuclear Constabulary in 2005 following a career in the Royal Navy. He worked at Sellafield for two years, before being redeployed to Heysham Operational Policing Unit (OPU). Since 2020, Darren has been part of the Strategic Escort Group (SEG); he has recently completed his second international policing operation transporting MOX fuel from Europe to Asia, involving the UK, French and Japanese Governments. Darren has been an embedded PST instructor and also a Licenced Search Officer. For the past year Darren has worked as a Police Search Adviser (PolSA) for the Strategic Escort Group.
He said he was looking forward to the challenges of his new Federation role: "It's going to be a massively challenging year, but I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in, learning and developing my pre-existing skills.
"I've dealt with misconduct and many capability and performance issues before, but I hope to learn more to assist the Federation with these ongoing issues.
"While carrying out my new role I'll be continuing with my firearms training in order to stay current and competent. Whilst at training, officers can approach me with any issues they are having. If any officer has any questions or wants any advice, just contact me at any time, that's what I'm here for."