Plant retired from his union posts in 1977 and became an advisor to the Police Federation.
However, the clauses which set out limitations on membership of the Police Federation were hotly debated and characterized by left-wing politicians as "fascist".
There were those in the higher echelons of the Police Federation, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Home Office who were not impressed with a frontline police officer who was so outspoken and seen by rank and file officers to be doing the job of their official organisations.
A national campaign to change the period of service to 20 years was started by Warwickshire Police Officer Kenneth Fowler, and supported by Chief Officers, the Police Federations and Members of Parliament.
Commissioners Sir William Horwood and Lord Byng both objected to this, as did the Police Federation, claiming that people may feel intimidated into buying tickets and that it detracted from the dignity of the rank.
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He also served as parliamentary spokesman for the Police Federation.
Australian Federal Police Association, a registered Industrial Organisation under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 operating as a Branch of the Police Federation of Australia
The Police Federation of England and Wales is the representative body to which all police officers in England and Wales up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector belong.
The Police Federation is a tripartite organisation made up of equal numbers of representatives from the Constable, Sergeant and Inspector ranks.