7 December 2021

“Let’s invest properly in police officers and policing”

That’s the message from Dorset Federation Chair James Dimmack, who was speaking after Home Secretary Priti Patel contacted the Police Remuneration Review Body this week with their “remit” for advising on a police officer pay rise in 2022/23.

Police officers were given no pay rise in 2021 when the Home Secretary tied the PRRB’s hands under the guise of public sector pay restraint. Either way, whatever the PRRB advises Government, it is up to the Home Secretary to decide what the police officer pay rise award should be.

In her letter to the PRRB, The Home Secretary states: “I ask that your recommendations and observations are considered in the context of the Government’s commitment to increase police officer numbers by 20,000 over three years” and “The Government must balance the need to ensure fair pay for public sector workers with protecting funding for frontline services and ensuring affordability for taxpayers’”.

James said: “I am unsure as to why the Home Secretary feels the need to lobby a purportedly independent body. That notwithstanding I note she is asking the PRRB to take account of the 20,000 officer uplift when considering a police officer pay rise.

“The phrase “affordability” also jumps from her correspondence. I agree affordability is key. We can’t afford to lose officers who feel undervalued, overworked and under paid. We can’t afford to allow a derogatory pay rise to influence the quality of applicant we attract to make up the 20,000 officer backfill mentioned.

“Policing is at low ebb which is recognised by the backfill. We need to turn this on its head and make this an opportunity to add the value and prestige back to what is a vital and challenging profession.

“Ultimately you get what you pay for. Currently we have quality without quantity. In order to get both let’s invest properly in Policing.”