MEMBER FAQs

NB: Any rates, figures or entitlements quoted in these FAQs are correct at the time of publication (April 2026) and are provided as a guide only. The document does not constitute legal or regulatory advice and info provided may change due to updates in Police Regulations, policy or local agreements.

PAY, EXPENSES & ALLOWANCES

What happens if my PDR is not completed? From April 2026, officers without a completed PDR will not progress a pay increment. This is a national requirement.

What are the overnight allowances when away on courses or deployments?
£4.43 for overnight incidentals (no receipt required)
£60 per night if held in reserve (in own room with en‑suite) or £100 per night if claiming hardship for no en‑suite or room sharing)
NB - No allowance applies during initial training. Meals are reimbursed as reasonable expenses with receipts if not provided.

Are meal allowances adequate given inflation? Many officers feel they are not. Issues raised include low fixed limits, removal of corporate cards and delayed reimbursement. The Federation continue to raise the issue with the COT.

Are cancelled rest days for training paid? It depends - a) foreseeable training should be built into rosters (DWL) b) short‑notice changes may attract overtime. NB - Training is not automatically an exigency.

DUTIES, REST DAYS & LEAVE

Can a rest day be cancelled at short notice? Yes, but only for an exigency of duty. Note - this must be justified and proportionate. Cancelling protected rest days should be a last resort.

Can duties be allocated on a free day? Generally no. Free days are distinct from rest days and should only be used as a) a last resort or b) where only that officer can perform the duty.
Can annual leave be used to protect rest days and cancelled later? Yes. There is nothing in Regs preventing this, provided it is used sensibly, transparently, and not abused.

Is there a limit on consecutive annual leave (e.g. 6 weeks)? No explicit limit exists. Officers have taken long blocks by saving leave across years and booking in stages.

What is an exigency/what does an exigency of duty mean? In very simple terms, an ‘exigency of duty’ is an urgent operational requirement that could not reasonably have been anticipated when the duty roster was published. Examples may include:
Unforeseen public order issues
Court attendance
Intelligence led operations
Unexpected critical absences

Not normally counted would be predictable annual events or large‑scale events known about well in advance.

For a more detailed explanation please view: Exigency of Duty - What does it mean ? (PFEW Definition under Reg 22).

WELFARE, HEALTH & SUPPORT

Is there a central welfare team or full‑time welfare manager? Not formally yet. This has been raised with senior leadership and remains an active issue. Federation work is ongoing to lobby for a dedicated welfare officer and to improve coordination and oversight.

Do I need to tell Occupational Health if I’m prescribed strong or controlled medication?

Yes. This protects you and the force by:

supporting fitness for duty decisions
managing risk
avoiding problems if randomly drug tested
Can the Federation support a Federated member if I’m struggling or under investigation? Yes. Support is confidential and available at any stage.

PROMOTION, ACTING UP & VETTING

Can an officer be ordered to act up a rank? Yes, in limited circumstances. Officers do not need to have passed the promotion exam but must be deemed suitable. However, it is strongly advised this should normally be voluntary. Forcing acting‑up can pose risks to both the officer and the force.

Why are Sergeant postings sometimes delayed after promotion? This is primarily due to vetting:
many officers are required to be fully re‑vetted
HR delays in triggering vetting have stalled start dates
officers vetted within the last 12 months may qualify for ‘revet lite’

Are acting Sergeant’s substantive? No. Officers only become substantive Sergeants after passing the full promotion process and commencing the WBA role.

Is psychometric or AI testing used for promotion? It appears to be part of an NPCC trial. Feedback from other forces is mixed. Federation consultation has been limited and concerns have been raised nationally.

PENSIONS, CAREER BREAKS & REDEPLOYMENT

Should officers delay retirement to benefit from index linking? Index linking applies from age 55, not length of service. Officers should seek independent financial advice. The Federation cannot provide pension advice.

Are officers dismissed under Regulation 13 entitled to redeployment? No obligation exists. Redeployment may be considered in limited cases, but any staff role requires a fair and competitive process.

Can officers take career breaks for external or private‑sector work? In some cases, with each request is assessed individually. Returning to a different post may be required.

PSD, MISCONDUCT & INVESTIGATIONS

Why do PSD investigations (including 28‑day reviews) take so long? PSD has cited staffing, illness and resourcing pressures. The Federation continues to raise this with PSD, SMT, COT and AC‑level leadership, while recognising PSD officers are also under pressure.

Can misconduct proceed even if there is no criminal case? Yes. Some cases continue through misconduct despite proposed national changes.

Is there a link between misconduct investigations and officer suicide? Yes. National Federation data shows a significant association between officers being under investigation and serious mental health harm, including suicide. This has been raised nationally as a major welfare failure.

FEDERATION, ELECTIONS & REPRESENTATION

Who can vote in Federation elections? Only officers of federated rank.

Who can stand for Deputy Chair or other senior roles? Only Branch Board members can stand, but the full Council can vote.

TRAVEL, INSURANCE & ADMINISTRATION

Where do I record off‑duty police interventions on public transport? Via the MS Form created and managed centrally by the Federation: *Incident Recording* Rail Travel Concession (formerly ATOC) – Fill in form

Where can I find the latest rail travel concession map? Search “Rail Travel Concession” on CityNet which is managed and uploaded by HR. Please heck dates and inclusion/exclusion zones carefully as older versions may circulate.

Where can I find Federation insurance policies and benefits? Google ‘Cityfed’ → Member Services → Insurance Policies. The latest versions are always held there.

MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

Who does the City of London Police Federation represent? Police officers serving with City of London Police up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector.

Is Federation membership mandatory? No. Membership is voluntary, but most eligible CoLP officers choose to join to access representation, legal support, and welfare services.

How much is the subscription? Subscription rates are set nationally and are deducted monthly from salary via payroll.

How do I join or leave the Federation? To sign up, please complete CityFed application (standalone form for Serving officers). To cancel or opt out, please email city@polfed.org.

I am transferring into City of London Police. What do I need to do about Federation membership and insurance? Federation membership and any related insurance cover do not transfer automatically when you join City of London Police. If you wish to be a member, you must:
Complete the Application for new recruits, transferees and returning officers
Carefully consider and select the level of insurance cover you want
NB - Even if you were already a Police Federation member in your previous force, you are required to submit a new application within six months of transferring.

I am transferring out of the City. What do I need to do about my Federation membership and insurance? Check the Federation sign up process with your new force. If applicable, please email city@polfed.org so we can arrange for your City Federation membership file to be transferred to the force you are joining.

I am approaching retirement. What happens to my Federation membership and insurance?

On retirement:

Police Federation membership ceases
However, officers who were subscribing to the Group Insurance Scheme while serving may continue with that cover if they wish

This continuation is not automatic. To retain Group Insurance cover, you must:

Complete the Group Insurance Application for Retirees
Submit the form no later than one month after your retirement date

The form also includes the option to:

Add Retiree Travel Insurance, if required
Further information is available in the Retirees and Pensions info section

I have been promoted to Superintendent (or above). What do I need to do about Federation and insurance cover?

On promotion to Superintendent or above:

You are no longer eligible for Police Federation membership
You are encouraged to join the Superintendents’ Association
It is your responsibility to contact the Pay Office to request cancellation of your Fed subs

Superintendents and above:

May retain or join the Group Insurance Scheme
Travel Insurance remains available as an optional add‑on
To arrange this, you must notify Payroll directly. If in doubt, please contact city@polfed.org who can assist.

Contact for more info: Your Federation Rep (see Meet The Team) or email the City Federation inbox: City@polfed.org