Record numbers of officers quit police service

28 July 2023

Record numbers of police officers are quitting the service across England and Wales, according to new Home Office data.

The figures reveal a total of 4,668 officers resigned between April 2022 and March 2023.

This is the highest number since comparable records began 16 years ago and shows a 32 per cent increase on the 3,533 who left the service in 2021/22.

Dyfed Powys Police lost 23 officers through voluntary resignation in the 12 months to last March, the figures show.

A further seven retired on medical grounds during the same period and 42 officers took normal retirement.

Eight officers transferred to other forces while one was dismissed, taking the total number of departures for the year to 81.

Dyfed Powys Police Federation chair Gareth Jones said: “These figures are deeply concerning but not surprising.

“Many of our members say they don’t feel respected or properly recognised for the incredibly challenging work that they do and some have clearly decided enough is enough.

“Much more needs to be done to retain experienced officers or we will end up with a young and inexperienced frontline workforce.

“Pay, conditions, resourcing and officer numbers all need to be addressed as a matter of urgency or this retention crisis will continue to deepen.”

The number of officers leaving the service was highlighted as the Home Office hailed the success of the Police Uplift Programme which saw the recruitment of more than 20,000 officers across the country.

The Force recruited 154 new officers under the scheme and as of March 31 had a total of 1,294 officers, according to revised Home Office figures.