Police call for salary increase after fears officers will ‘leave in droves because they cannot afford to stay’
- Leaders warn about resignations despite efforts to recruit 20,000 extra officers
- The Home Office said officers already receive pay rises, as well as overtime
Police leaders have demanded a pay rise for officers amid fears that falling wages and a succession of scandals will see thousands quit.
The future of British policing could be under threat unless officers are given a pay increase across all ranks, bosses are arguing.
Leaders warn about rising resignations despite the Government’s efforts to recruit 20,000 extra officers.
They say police pay has fallen by almost 17 per cent since 2010, with starting salaries plummeting from £33,000 to between £23,500 and £26,700 when adjusted for inflation.
A submission from the National Police Chiefs’ Council to the advisory board on police pay warns that a third of officers have less than five years’ experience, while many are quitting following a slew of police scandals, The Independent reported.
The future of British policing could be under threat unless officers are given a pay increase across all ranks, bosses are arguing
The Home Office said officers already receive pay rises, as well as overtime and other allowances, and most recruits report job satisfaction.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Pay and Conditions, Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan, said: ‘Police officers deserve fair pay that reflects their unique duties and contribution to society, including their responsibility to run toward danger, as well as recognising that they are restricted in taking on second jobs and are not allowed to strike.
‘Any pay award should recognise the impact of the cost of living on officers and be fully funded.
‘We have submitted our evidence to the Police Remuneration Review Body and ask that their recommendations to government on pay take all of these factors into consideration.’
