Dorset Police Federation is a branch of the Police Federation of England and Wales which is the representative body of all police officers below the rank of Superintendent. Established by the Police Act of 1919, the Police Federation was introduced to provide officers with a platform to bring their views on welfare and efficiency to the notice of the government and police authorities.

In a similar way to a trade union, Dorset Police Federation negotiates with the official side on all matters concerning members’ pay, allowances, hours of duty, annual leave, pensions and other conditions of service.

But unlike a trade union, the Federation:

• is controlled entirely by serving police officers.
   
• is completely independent, with no political affiliations or associations with outside bodies.
   
• has no powers to call a strike or any other form of industrial action.