Chief officers step into pay row

6 August 2021

Derbyshire Police Federation has welcomed the intervention of chief officers after they stepped into the bitter pay row which sparked a vote of no confidence in Home Secretary Priti Patel.

National Police Chiefs’ Council chair Martin Hewitt has written to Ms Patel after it was confirmed officers earning more than £24,000 a year would face a pay freeze.

His letter says: “Taken together with the continuing effects of a decade of austerity around officers’ pay, there is no question that properly rewarding our incredible people is now a significant issue of concern for chief constables. 

“We simply believe they deserve better and that it is the responsibility of Government to address this across the forthcoming spending period.” 

It continues: “For many it feels unfair and that their contribution is undervalued. And, unlike other parts of the public service, officers do not have the option of industrial action to make their case more strongly.

“As the Government makes spending decisions over coming months, we urge you to fund a settlement which properly reflects the important and complex work police officers do, and starts to address the pay shortfall.”

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Tony Wetton said: “The Federation has made its position quite clear with a vote of no confidence in the Home Secretary and the decision to walk away from the Police Remuneration Review Body.

“The letter from the NPCC reinforces that position and should leave the Government in no doubt that our members feel unfairly treated, let down and betrayed after the determination and  professionalism they have shown throughout the pandemic.

“That dedication to duty and personal sacrifice relies on officers feeling valued and  being rewarded fairly for their efforts and that certainly does not seem to be the case at the moment.

“We hope the Home Secretary and her Cabinet colleagues will take this message from the chief officers on board.”