Chair reacts to 2024 pay award for police officers

30 July 2024

Cleveland Police Federation Chair Paul Crowley has reacted to the 4.75% pay rise award for police officers in 2024.

He said: "Although I acknowledge the pay increase is above the current rate of inflation and I appreciate the Chancellor's efforts in this regard, let there be no mistake, police officers nationwide are still a considerable way off from receiving a remuneration package that is befitting of the unique role they play in society.

“In real terms, police pay is approximately 17% behind where we need to be after years of stagnated pay and below inflation pay awards. This crisis was brought to the forefront recently when officers up and down the country voted almost unanimously for the Federation to pursue avenues of industrial rights.

“The question is often raised as to why police officers should be entitled to a higher pay award and, although I am not one for comparing public sector roles, it's right that I highlight the unique position police officers are in to help those outside of the policing family understand the situation a little better. 

“The first thing we need to realise, is that as Officers of the Crown police officers aren't 'employees' in the legal sense and are therefore not covered by all employment laws. This means that officers cannot choose to withdraw their labour and do not have the ability to 'strike' as is often seen in other industries such as teaching or other emergency services, and the restrictions placed upon officers do not end there.

“At the moment, we are experiencing nice weather, and perhaps many of you are preparing to spend your days off with family. However, those in policing will agree that, to make such plans would be foolish, as officer's days off can be cancelled with as little as 8 hours notice if an exigency of demand exists.

“Then, having cancelled all of your family plans, those same officers are sworn at, spat at, punched, kicked, stabbed and worse. This is before we even look to highlight specialist responsibilities (which often come with no additional benefits) such as public order specialists, firearms, search teams and negotiators that are more likely to suffer rest day cancellations than others. 

“One might think that all of the above is taken into consideration during the pay award process, but you would be wrong. A simple search will demonstrate that police officers received one of the lowest awards in the public sector and the advice of the National Police Chiefs' Council (which recommended a 6% uplift) was ignored.

“Compared to other industries which do not face the same restrictions, it appears that once again, police officers are a victim of their own circumstance, with the Government being safe in the knowledge that there is little that police officers can do to challenge this.

“So 4.75% is a step in the right direction. But is a single step on a long road towards fair pay, fair conditions, fair treatment and an adequate pay review body that recognises the brutal realities of policing."