Force asked to follow Northamptonshire Police over 'King's half hour'
16 September 2025
Chair Delme Rees said the half hour for the King – the long-standing expectation that officers routinely work extra time at the end of their shift – should be paid as planned overtime.
All constables and sergeants have been paid around £450 per year, pensionable, for this half hour since 1994, when the Federation successfully challenged its non-payment.
However, Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet (pictured) recently recognised that demand was now so consistently high in his Force that officers have to plan for extended shifts.
Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet
That means the extra time counts as planned overtime and should be paid in addition to the allowance.
“As a branch, we have asked the Chief Constable Ifan Charles to consider if a similar approach could be adopted in our Force,” he said.
“Our officers routinely work into overtime as evidenced by the current overtime budget spend.
“We recognise the positive work being carried out already with the Force Operating Model and workforce modernisation to match resources with demand to reduce the need for overtime in the first place.
Longer shifts
“However, the spontaneous nature of policing means that officers are often working longer shifts than they were expected to.
“Being compensated fully for the hours worked would be gratefully received.”
The issue is due to be discussed at a Wales regional meeting of the Police Federation this week.
Delme will be joined by representatives of Gwent, South Wales, and North Wales, as well as PFEW National Board members and Welsh leads Leigh Godfrey and Zac Mader.
Compensated
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has welcomed the change by Northamptonshire Police and is calling for every force to do the same.
PFEW national secretary John Partington said: “Northamptonshire Police have done the right thing by recognising that relentless demand cannot just be absorbed and that officers must be properly compensated and the sacrifice of their time recognised.
“We accept the strong case that Government needs to fund policing properly, but if Northamptonshire can do it, every other force can too.”
READ MORE: Branch meets MPs to highlight issues facing members.
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