10 April 2024

Dorset Police Pay and Morale Report

85% of Dorset Police officers feel ‘worse off’ financially now than they were five years ago and 20% ‘never’ or ‘almost never’ have enough money to cover all their essentials.

According to the 2023 Police Federation of England and Wales Pay and Morale Report – published today - 88% of respondents have seen living cost increases in the previous month and 69% of officers are dissatisfied with their pay.

Worryingly, 16% of Dorset Police officers who responded to the survey said they intend to resign from the police service either ‘within the next two years’ or ‘as soon as [they] can’.

Whilst Police Officers received a 7% pay rise in 2023, they have still seen an incredible 16% real-terms pay cut over the past 12 years.

Police chiefs have pointed out that the high cost of living in the UK is placing an even bigger strain on officers, as well as hampering recruitment. They have asked the Government for officers to receive a 6% pay rise in 2024.

Officers are also struggling with low morale and lack of support, the survey found. 95% of officers said they do not feel respected by the Government, and 54% said they were experiencing low morale.

71% of respondents from Dorset Police said that they would not recommend joining the police to others. 72% said they do not feel valued within the service.

James Dimack, Chair of Dorset Police Federation, said: “These results are not unexpected and that statement in itself is alarming. Policing is constantly under scrutiny and officers are being assaulted and often vilified by the press and public alike.

“Alongside this, officers perform a uniquely challenging role consistently placing themselves in danger to protect others and preserve the peace under which we all live.

“By doing this, officers are clearly not being appropriately remunerated and it seems officers are looking at alternative avenues. Policing has always been about more than money it is about making a difference. The officers of Dorset make a difference every minute of every day. We can’t rely on that good will we have to nurture it appreciate it and ultimately reward it.

“The levels of stress, sickness and violence suffered by our officers cannot be accepted.”

Officers are coming under attack from the public too, the report showed, with 14% having suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention as a result of work-related violence in the last year.

Only 17% of officers who responded reported having access to double crewing at all times whilst on duty.

62% of respondents from Dorset Police said that over the last 12 months, their workload has been ‘too high’ or ‘much too high’. 4% of officers said that they have ‘never’ or ‘rarely’ been able to take an 11-hour break between shifts in the last 12 months and 31% said they feel ‘always’ or ‘often’ feel pressured into working long hours.

Sadly, 83% of respondents from Dorset Police indicated that they had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety, or other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the last 12 months, and 47% said that they find their job ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressful.