22 February 2023

Dorset MPs and chief officers have been “unanimously shocked and concerned” by recent Pay and Morale Survey results

Dorset MPs and chief officers have been “unanimously shocked and concerned” by the results of the recent Pay and Morale Survey, Dorset Police Federation has said.

A huge 81% of survey respondents from Dorset Police said they were ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘very dissatisfied’ with their overall remuneration; 84% said they were worse off financially than five years ago; and 22% reported ‘never’ or ‘almost never’ having enough money to cover all their essentials.

Dorset Police Federation Chair James Dimmack said: “Following the recent PFEW Pay and Morale Survey, I have had meetings with Dorset Police’s chief officers to discuss the implications of this. I’ve also had discussions with the Police and Crime Commissioner and local MPs. Unanimously, they were all shocked and deeply concerned by these results.

“On the back of this, South Dorset MP Richard Drax has raised the issue of funding formulas for policing. This is an issue that detrimentally impacts policing capability in Dorset. We need funding commensurate with the number of people within the county, not just the residents.

“The population of Dorset is hugely affected by visitor numbers and this is not reflected in police budgets. We have recently undergone a huge uplift of officers in a massively restricted time frame. This in itself has impacted on the infrastructure of the force, and also on the officers within it.

“Dorset Police is receiving a precept rise, which should mean increased resources, however ultimately it means we have to suffer fewer budget cuts than otherwise would have been the case. This needs to be addressed at a Parliamentary level – we need appropriate and proportionate funding.”

James added that strike action from other public services was impacting on police officers, who were unable to strike on pay themselves.

He said: “Police pay needs to be addressed along with all aspects of public sector pay. The fact we are fobbed off due to our status as Crown servants is demeaning, demotivating and short-sighted. The Government should be meaningfully investing in policing rather than chasing headline-grabbing political points. The police service in England and Wales has always rightly always been heralded as the best in the world. It is time we remembered that and invested appropriately to ensure that status remains.”

James continued: “Our national Federation Chair Steve Hartshorn was asked recently if he would join policing again if he were 18 or 21, and he regretfully had to say no. This is a tragic but very real state of affairs. I would have to give considerable thought to that question, but I would answer differently to Steve.

“What I hang on to is the huge pride and satisfaction I have gained and continue to gain from doing ‘The Job’. I want to continue to make a difference and I believe the best way to do that is to recognise that policing is in a hugely difficult moment. We need to promote the vital service that we provide. The police service needs to be nurtured, invested in and respected for the great work it does, day in and day out.”