Extra Hours Culture Of Inspecting Ranks Exposed in New Survey

26 February 2025

Almost a quarter of Inspectors and Chief Inspectors are working up to an extra 40 hours a month, a new survey has found, as the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) pushes for overtime payments.

Since the 1994 Police Negotiating Board Agreement, inspecting ranks have not been entitled to casual overtime payments. Part of the agreement was that they should not be expected to work regular additional hours.

However, since 1994 many Inspectors and Chief Inspectors have been working excessive hours, leading to burnout, stress and serious concerns over work-life balance and wellbeing.

PFEW calls the Agreement “outdated” and says that inspecting ranks should receive overtime payments to act as a balance between the 1994 PNB Agreement and as compensation for additional hours worked.

In PFEW’s Inspecting Ranks Survey, 23% of respondents said they worked an extra 21-40 hours a week above their agreed hours. The vast majority of respondents (93 per cent) felt that members in inspecting ranks working full time should be entitled to a rostered shift pattern within Police Regulations.

PFEW Acting National Secretary John Partington said that as well as a review of the Regulations and overtime payments being made, there should be an increase in the base pay of Inspectors, given the demands and responsibilities they faced.

John added: “There are concerns over the gap between the Inspector and Chief Inspector ranks and that there should be a clear gap between the two ranks. In addition, there should also be an increase in the gap between the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector.

“After 30 years since the introduction of the 1994 PNB agreement, it is disappointing this agreement has not been adequately reviewed.

“Given the length of time any work in this area could take, we are seeking an interim pensionable payment to be made to the inspecting ranks. This would encourage both promotion into the ranks and assist with retention and experience within the ranks.”

The changes PFEW is seeking have been brought to the attention of the Police Remuneration Review Body and the Police Advisory Board.

See more on the survey here