The following FAQs cover some of the questions Hampshire Police Federation receives most often regarding Police Regulations, duty management, overtime, leave and working arrangements.

If you cannot find the answer you're looking for, please contact the Federation Office for advice and guidance.

What is a lawful order?

Police officers are required to carry out lawful orders and perform the duties of their office as a constable.

In general, an order is considered lawful if it is for a policing purpose and does not place the officer at risk of criminal, civil or disciplinary action.

Officers may be required by a supervisor of higher rank to perform overtime where necessary.

If you are unsure whether an instruction is lawful, seek advice from the Federation as soon as possible.

Travel Time

Travel between home and your normal place of duty is not normally counted as duty time under Police Regulations.

There are, however, limited circumstances where travel time may be counted, including:

• Recall to duty between two tours of duty
• Split shifts
• Certain periods of duty on a rostered rest day

If you are required to attend an alternative location and need to report to your usual station first, travel from your station to that location should normally count as duty time.

When am I entitled to overtime?

Overtime may arise when:

• You remain on duty beyond the end of your rostered shift
• You are recalled between two tours of duty
• You are required to start earlier than your scheduled duty without sufficient notice

Different rules apply depending on whether the overtime was planned in advance or arose unexpectedly.

If you are unsure whether you are entitled to overtime, contact the Federation Office.

What is a recall to duty?

A recall to duty occurs when you are required to return to work between two rostered shifts.

In these circumstances, officers are generally entitled to overtime for the period worked as well as eligible travelling time, subject to Police Regulations.

A telephone call alone does not constitute a recall to duty.

What happens if I am required to start work earlier?

Where an officer is required to start earlier than their rostered duty without at least eight hours' notice, overtime may be payable.

The entitlement depends on when notification was received and whether the revised start time falls within the same police day as a previous tour of duty.

What compensation applies when a rest day is cancelled?

If you are required to work on a rostered rest day, your entitlement depends on the amount of notice given.

Less than 15 days' notice

You are entitled to compensation at time-and-a-half and may choose either:

• Payment, or
• Time off in lieu

15 days' notice or more

You should be allocated another rest day.

If you have questions regarding cancelled rest days, contact the Federation for advice.

What compensation applies for working on a public holiday?

Where you are required to work on a public holiday:

Less than eight days' notice

You are entitled to:

• Double time payment
• A day off in lieu

More than eight days' notice

You will usually receive payment at the appropriate public holiday rate.

Telephone Calls Whilst Off Duty

Receiving a work-related telephone call at home does not automatically generate an overtime entitlement.

However, if as a result of that call you are required to carry out work or attend duty, the circumstances may constitute a recall to duty.

If in doubt, seek advice from the Federation.

Acting Sergeant and Acting Inspector Duties

Officers performing acting duties may be entitled to a Temporary Duty Allowance after completing the qualifying period.

Overtime arrangements differ depending on:

• Your substantive rank
• The acting rank being performed
• How long you have been undertaking acting duties

For advice on an individual situation, please contact the Federation Office.

Student Officers

Student officers facing:

• Probation concerns
• Extensions to probation
• Performance issues
• Case conferences
• Potential termination of service

should contact a Federation Representative immediately.

Early support is particularly important when matters may affect your future career.

How Does Sick Leave Affect Pay?

Police Regulations provide for periods of full pay followed by periods of half pay whilst on sick leave.

The exact entitlement varies depending on individual circumstances and service history.

For guidance on how sickness absence may affect your pay, please contact the Federation Office.

How Many Days Can I Work Consecutively?

Police Regulations provide for rostered rest days to be arranged so there is normally no interval greater than seven days between them.

Exceptions can apply where:

• A longer interval has been agreed
• Operational exigencies require changes

Meal Break Entitlements

Police Regulations provide for refreshment breaks during duty periods wherever operational circumstances allow.

The length of the break varies depending on the length of the shift being worked.

Where operational demands prevent a meal break from being taken, officers should ensure this is appropriately recorded and discussed with supervision if it becomes a recurring issue.

Returning from Annual Leave for Court

If you are recalled from annual leave to attend court, Police Regulations provide compensation in the form of:

• Additional annual leave entitlement
• Payment at enhanced rates
• A combination of annual leave and payment

The exact entitlement will depend on the length of the interruption to your leave.

If this affects you, contact the Federation for advice on your individual circumstances.

Can My Duties Be Changed at Short Notice?

Duty rosters should be published in advance and include:

• Rest days
• Public holidays
• Start and finish times
• Other rostered commitments

Once a roster has been published, changes should only occur for genuine operational reasons or where otherwise agreed.

Further information can be found on our Exigency of Duty page.

My Rest Day Was Cancelled but I Am No Longer Needed

If a rest day was cancelled in anticipation of an operational requirement which is later scaled back, your entitlement will depend on how much notice you receive that your attendance is no longer required.

If this situation arises, please contact the Federation for specific advice.

What Should I Do Following a Firearms Incident?

Following a firearms incident, officers who have discharged a weapon should seek Federation support immediately.

Remember:

• All conversations may be disclosable
• You may be treated as either a witness or a suspect
• Legal advice should be obtained at the earliest opportunity

Immediate Federation Advice

Ask the Post Incident Manager to contact the Federation as soon as possible.

Hampshire Police Federation has a representative available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through CWUN. If in doubt, call us out.

Emergency Dependants Leave

If your child's school unexpectedly closes, childcare arrangements break down, or a dependant experiences an emergency, you may be entitled to Emergency Dependants Leave.

This leave covers situations involving:

• Children
• Spouses or partners
• Parents
• Dependants living in your household

The leave is treated as duty but you must notify your supervisor as soon as reasonably practicable.

Can I Choose My Own Hours if I Work Part-Time?

Not necessarily.

Requests for part-time working should be discussed with your supervisor and management team.

Working arrangements will be negotiated between the officer and the Force to meet both operational and personal requirements.

Once agreed, the determined hours cannot normally be changed without agreement from both parties.

If you are considering part-time working, the Federation can provide advice and guidance.

I Am an Inspector and Do Not Have a Published Roster. Is This Correct?

Yes.

Police Regulations do not require duty rosters to be published for Inspectors or Chief Inspectors.

However, reasonable notice should still be given wherever possible to enable officers to plan work, personal and family commitments.

Need Further Advice?

If you have a question about Police Regulations, duty management, overtime, leave or any other workplace issue, please contact the Federation Office.

📧 hampshire@polfed.org
📞 02380 478920