Humberside Police Federation Pay and Morale Survey

22 April 2024

According to the 2023 Police Federation of England and Wales Pay and Morale Report - based on 656 responses received from Humberside Police officers - Humberside Police continues to have one of the highest levels of morale in the country.

 79% of Humberside Police officers feel ‘worse off’ financially now than they were five years ago and 17% ‘never’ or ‘almost never’ have enough money to cover all their essentials.

88% of respondents have seen living cost increases in the previous month and 72% of officers are dissatisfied with their pay.

Whilst Police Officers received a 7% pay rise in 2023, they have still seen an incredible 16% real terms pay cut over the past 12 years. 

Nationally 22% of officers who responded to the survey said that they intended to resign from the police service either “within in the next two years” or “as soon as they can” compared to 12% of Humberside Police officers who responded.

The survey found 89% of officers said they do not feel respected by the Government, and 49% said they were experiencing low morale.

Police chiefs have pointed out that the high cost of living in the UK is placing an even bigger strain on officers, as well as hampering recruitment. They have asked the Government for officers to receive a 6% pay rise in 2024. 

Lee Sims, Chair of Humberside Police Federation, said: “The Federation continue to have a positive working relationship with the Chief Constable and the force, we work together, acting to better the wellbeing of our officers and supporting them to work within an environment that enables them to deliver the best possible service to the public.

“The survey indicated that a number of respondents from Humberside Police had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety, or other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the last 12 months, and many said that they find their job ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressful.

“Officers also continue to be assaulted by members of the public, the report showed 17% having suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention as a result of work-related violence in the last year.

“68% of respondents said that over the last 12 months, their workload has been ‘too high’ or ‘much too high’. The survey was commenced in November 2023 and the Federation are working with the force to ensure that this continues to improve.

“The Federation continue to be absolutely committed to the dedicated hard working police officers of Humberside.”     

Chief Constable Paul Anderson said: “Firstly, I want to personally thank each one of my officers within Humberside Police, I am so very proud of how they work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable and how they relentlessly look to bring those to justice who seek to harm our communities, I see their unwavering commitment every single day, however, I also see that policing continues to be challenging, my officers deal with the most difficult of circumstances and this can often come at a personal cost and effect how they feel.

“I still see my officers being assaulted but continue to put themselves in harm’s way without hesitation, often reacting to extremely volatile and violent situations, my officers will continue to do everything they can to take criminals off the streets, I know that is a non-negotiable for them, but it is simply unacceptable that assaults on officer’s still take place and with the frequency that they do. I will personally continue to do everything I can to ensure they feel supported through excellent supervision and the right wellbeing services being available.

“As the Federation Pay & Morale Survey highlights, officers don’t always feel they receive financial recompense for all that they give.

“Like many of those within our local communities, my officers also continue to feel a financial burden as costs across the country rise, stretching the affordability of day to day living, these are real and recognised financial difficulties.

“Morale in any organisation is fundamental and policing is no different, it continues to be absolutely vital that our officers feel supported and appreciated for everything they do to protect the communities we serve.

“My officers continue to do their job and maintain some of the highest levels of morale amongst frontline officers across all forces in England and Wales.

“Along with the continued support from the Humberside Police Federation branch, I will continue supporting my officers wholeheartedly, enabling them to serve our communities, drive sustained excellence within investigation for our victims and delivering a service communities deserve.”