Oscar Kilo wellbeing survey highlights the physical and emotional challenges facing members

8 August 2025

The National Police Wellbeing Survey highlights the significant pressures officers are under, says Dyfed Powys branch chair Delme Rees.

The results of this year’s survey by Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, paint a stark picture of the emotional and physical challenges facing members.

Two-thirds (67%) of officers reported physical exhaustion, and 58% experienced emotional exhaustion.

More than two in five (41%) officers felt stressed about their financial situation.

The report found that 44% of officers and 39% of Specials had been physically assaulted in the past year, while one in five officers and Specials have experienced discrimination from the public.

Officers working in high-risk roles, such as response, CID, and public protection, showed higher levels of emotional exhaustion and lower wellbeing, Oscar Kilo said.

Work-life balance

The report found that 29% of the workforce reported an intention to leave their force or policing in the next year, with work-life balance (17%), remuneration (15%), and poor leadership (13%) the most common reasons.

The 91-page report also identified strong foundations, including almost nine out of 10 (89%) feeling confident in their knowledge, skills, and experience to do their job.

Four out of five said their team pulls together, 81% feel trusted in their role, and two-thirds are proud of their work.

Delme said: “It’s pleasing to see that despite all the challenges that our members face, they remain motivated, pull together to get the job done, and are proud to serve the public.

“But we can’t ignore the fact that this report, on the back of others such as our Pay and Morale Survey, highlights the considerable emotional and physical challenges our members face.

"The Thin Blue Line feels stretched to breaking point.

 

 

“We need action to come from these reports that lifts morale, invests in welfare and wellbeing, and makes our members feel valued, because we can’t rely on officers’ sense of duty forever.”

More than 40,000 members of the UK police workforce took part in the survey.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chief’s Council said: “The survey results are deeply worrying, but sadly not unexpected.

“While the feedback describes the positive elements of a police workforce who feel trusted, capable, and proud, it also describes a workforce who are exhausted, with high levels of burnout described, alongside low levels of general wellbeing.

“This is very concerning indeed, and change must happen.

“Put simply, we are asking too much of those working within the service, and the feedback through this survey demonstrates the serious nature of the reality on the ground. 

Wellbeing

“We recognise that it is not only the nature of police work which affects individual’s wellbeing, but also things such as insufficient resource to meet public expectations, complex and changing criminality, degraded facilities, systems and technology, and constant change.

“These are elements that need to be addressed urgently for the service, and this is why the Government’s programme of Police Reform must be a priority.

“It is only by taking a wide-ranging and holistic look at policing, for the first time in decades, that essential, meaningful and long-lasting support to our workforce can be achieved. Colleagues in policing want to be trusted, capable and well, so we can concentrate our full efforts on the public we serve.” 

 Andy Rhodes, service director for Oscar Kilo, said: “This is a vital moment for policing to listen, understand, and act. We now have the clearest picture yet of where the service is – and what needs to change.

“The results will directly influence work happening at both a local and national level. They will also inform the police reform agenda, the NPCC Workforce Strategy, and the delivery of the Police Covenant.”

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing said: “Wellbeing in policing isn’t a luxury – it’s an essential necessity.

“Every officer, member of staff and volunteer deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued in their role. These results are a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, a team.”

READ MORE: Branch working with the Force to improve officer uniform.