Officers feel 'worse off and would not recommend role'

Officers say they feel worse off than they did five years ago

Officers in the West of England feel "worse off" financially than they did five years ago and few would recommend the role to others, a survey finds.

The 2023 Police Federation of England and Wales Pay and Morale Report showed 81% of respondents from Avon & Somerset Police and 84% at Gloucestershire Police felt this to be true. In Avon & Somerset Police 704 officers completed the survey out of 3,393 in total and in Gloucestershire Police force 167 officers responded out of 1,333.

Avon & Somerset Police said officer pay was set nationally by central government, but it did understand the need to address the issue.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said it had put systems in place to improve officer morale and welfare.

'It's unsurprising'

The report showed that more than 65% of the officers surveyed in both forces would not recommend joining the police to a friend, and two-thirds said they did not feel valued within their forces.

Police chiefs have asked the Government for officers to receive a 6% pay rise in 2024.

The report found 21% of officers in Gloucestershire said they had suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention as a result of work-related violence in the past year.

Iain Prideaux, Acting Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation, said: "Many members tell me they are bench marking their pay against a delivery driver earning between £26,000 - £32,000 per year.

"So, for the first four years of their service, officers are earning the same as someone carrying much less threat, harm and risk.

"It is unsurprising that 54% of officers have low or very low morale and 84% report feeling the Constabulary has low or very low morale."

Steve James, Chair of Gloucestershire Police Federation, said: "The demand on overworked officers is now so high that in many cases it has a profound long-term impact on their mental health. In the meantime many officers report barely being able to make ends meet, as their pay still languishes 16% behind in real-terms."

Sarah Crew said her force would address the issues

Avon and Somerset's chief constable Sarah Crew said: "We need to address historic pay degradation and reward officers for their unique role in society, the extraordinary duties they undertake, and the restrictions placed on their lives.

"Police pay is set nationally by central government, with limited local discretion. However, where we have been able to apply local flexibility, we have done so. In 2022, for example, we introduced pay increases for new entrants.

"We recognise the real terms cut to officers pay which has occurred over the past decade. The 7% pay award in 2023 was welcome but more is needed. You can be assured that we are working with other forces through the Nation Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to make the case for further increases to pay from September 2024."

Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "As an organisation we aspire to have higher morale amongst our staff than highlighted in this report.

"We acknowledge that policing is a very challenging and difficult job, and we are grateful to our dedicated officers who continue to fight crime and protect the public despite increased demand and limited resources.

"Whilst some of the factors that can feed low morale are national issues and out of our control, we recognise that there is more we can do to ensure our officers feel valued and supported.

"The wellbeing of our staff is paramount and we have a range of measures in place across Gloucestershire Constabulary to ensure that we take care of the welfare of staff.

"Whilst the 7% pay award in 2023 was welcomed and has gone some way to support our people, the real terms reduction in the value of wages is an issue facing many sectors and is recognised nationally."