Surge in Hertfordshire police officers taking second jobs

16 July 2025

Hertfordshire Police Federation has warned of a deepening crisis in officer welfare as shocking new figures reveal that the number of officers taking second jobs has more than doubled in just five years.

Data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows that in 2019, 90 Hertfordshire Constabulary officers had second jobs. By 2024, that number had surged to 187, a 108 per cent increase.

Hertfordshire Police Federation chair Luke Mitchell said he is ‘disgusted’ and ‘shocked’ by the figures: “It’s frankly appalling that nearly 200 of our officers now feel forced to take on second jobs just to survive financially.

“These are professionals working in one of the most difficult and dangerous public service roles imaginable. That they have to spend their time off doing additional work to keep their heads above water is unacceptable and utterly disheartening.”

Struggling

Luke said that this is ‘no longer about topping up income, it’s about survival’.

He continued: “Officers are telling us they’re struggling to pay rent, mortgages and feed their families. They’ve copped enough - and frankly, so have we.”

The figures were uncovered as part of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) ‘Copped Enough’ campaign, which lays bare the devastating impact of falling police pay, rising workloads and soaring living costs on officer wellbeing and public safety.

The rise in second jobs in Hertfordshire reflects a national trend, with more than 4,000 police officers across England and Wales now registered with secondary employment - double the 2019 figure. The Federation says the increase is being driven by a long-term erosion in police pay, which has fallen by 21 per cent in real terms since 2010.

The ‘Copped Enough’ campaign is calling for:

• Urgent pay restoration to reverse more than a decade of real-terms losses

• An independent pay mechanism, free from political interference

• Greater recognition of the growing demands and personal risks officers face.

In anticipation of the Government’s annual police pay award, which is expected to be made this week, Luke added: “This week’s pay award, which is due to be implemented in September, will determine whether officers need to apply for a second and, in some cases, third job.

Pressure

“It’s frightening to think officers need two or three jobs just to keep out of debt. 

“This could lead to even more officers leaving the service. And Hertfordshire Police already has a £2.5 million shortfall, so we can’t afford to replace any officers and staff members we lose. And as a result, there will be even more pressure on those officers who stay in the job.

“Surely this can’t continue?”

Luke ended: “Policing is becoming financially unsustainable for too many. If we want to keep the public safe, we need to protect the people doing the job. 

“The ‘Copped Enough’ campaign is about standing up for our members - and making sure their voices are heard loud and clear in Westminster.”

READ MORE: Tiff Lynch is elected as new national Federation chair.