Officers urged to Have Their Say as PFEW launches Pay and Morale Survey

16 September 2024

The PFEW has launched its annual Pay and Morale Survey – designed to gauge how officers feel on issues including pay, allowances, morale, mental health, wellbeing, demand, rest days and professional development.

The PFEW uses the results of the survey to inform its conversations on police pay, as it bids to gain fairer remuneration and working conditions for police officers.

Ed Russell, Chair of Cumbria Police Federation, said: "What’s the point of filling in this survey? A question that I have asked myself over the years, but one best answered by the old police adage of ‘if it’s not written down, it didn’t happen’.

"Without your information/views/data our ability to negotiate at a local/national level is weakened. This is your opportunity to have your say on what is going on in modern policing.

"Are RSL’s too low? Are you able to cope with demand? If you have views on these topics and others impacting your wellbeing and capability, then please fill in the survey and allow the federation to raise key issues on your behalf in a collective manner."

This year, there are three additional topical questions:

• What unique aspects of policing should be considered when police pay is being reviewed?
• Given the recent unrest across the UK, how safe and supported did you feel whilst on duty?
• Does social media have an impact on the way you are able to perform your role?

Nationally, the 2023 survey showed that 85% of officers felt they were not paid fairly given the hazards of the job, and 78% were not satisfied with their overall remuneration.

And 82% said they had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety or other problems with their mental health and wellbeing over the previous 12 months, with 82% citing poor treatment by the Government as a contributory factor.

In addition, 22% said they intended to resign from the service in the next two years, with contributing factors being low morale (85%), poor Government treatment (78%), and mental health and wellbeing (73%).

On workload, 86% said they do not feel there are enough officers to meet the demands of their team or unit, 64% said their workload has been ‘too high’ or ‘much too high’, and 39% said heavy workload had an impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

The 2024 survey is being sent to members’ email addresses and is open until Monday 28 October.