Survey highlights strength of police workforce despite ongoing pressures, says chair

14 September 2026

Dyfed Powys Federation chair Delme Rees says the results of a national police wellbeing survey show officers remain a highly skilled, trusted and supportive group, despite the pressures they face.

The latest Oscar Kilo Wellbeing Survey revealed that 89 per cent of officers and staff feel they have the skills and experience to perform their role.

It also found that 83 per cent feel trusted to do their job and 82 per cent believe their team works together to improve the service.

Almost three quarters (74 per cent) of respondents said their line manager sets a positive example.

The survey showed officers were suffering from exhaustion

The survey also found that 83 per cent of the workforce felt trusted to do their job and 73 per cent said their line manager takes a positive interest in their health and wellbeing.

But alongside those positive findings are concerns about exhaustion, workload and retention, which Delme said underlined the need for policing to invest in its people.

Delme said: “The annual wellbeing survey shows that police officers continue to have a strong commitment to their colleagues, their teams and the communities they serve.

“But that commitment can come at a cost and policing needs to invest in its workforce.

Resources

“That means investing properly in pay, conditions and training, and making sure officer have the resources and backing they need to carry out their roles effectively.

“People need to know that they are supported in their role and that their hard work is recognised and valued.”

The survey by Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, received more than 55,000 responses from officers, staff, PCSOs, specials and volunteers across England and Wales.

It found teams remain one of the policing’s greatest strengths with high levels of trust and collaboration.

Seven in 10 colleagues report a sense of belonging within their team, while 75 per cent feel respected by those they work alongside.

However, the survey also provides a warning the goodwill and resilience of people cannot be relied upon indefinitely.

Burnout

More than half of respondents (56 per cent) report regular physical exhaustion because of work, while 44 per cent experience regular emotional exhaustion and 45 per cent report regular burnout.

There are also concerns about retention, with 30 per cent saying they may leave within a year. Among potential leavers, 54 per cent cited a desire for a better work-life balance, while 44 per cent wanted better pay and benefits.

However, positively, most that say they want to continue in their organisation do, with 62 per cent saying they remain for the job security and pension, 60 per cent because they enjoy their role, and 41 per cent  for making a difference.

Delme said: “Officers are telling us that they want to do a good job and that they take pride in what they do.

“The challenge is making sure policing gives them the conditions to succeed. If we want to retain experienced officers and attract the next generation, we have to invest in them through fair pay, proper training, good working conditions and meaningful support.

“The strength of policing is its people. We need to make sure they know that they are valued.”

READ MORE: The summer edition of our Fed magazine is out now.