Met Commissioner Calls For Competitive Police Pay Rise

15 March 2024

Met Commissioner Calls For Competitive Police Pay Rise

Police pay is “appallingly low” while officers are facing increasing demand and pressure, Leicestershire Police Federation has said.

The Federation’s Acting Chair, Andy Spence, was speaking after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley gave evidence to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) and called for a police pay rise at or above the rate of inflation.

Sir Mark pointed out that police officers had seen a 16% real-terms pay cut over the past 12 years and that the high cost of living was placing an even bigger strain on officers, as well as hampering recruitment.

He also asked for London weighting to be increased by £2,000 and for the lowest police pay point to be abolished, saying: “It is at the lowest pay points that we’re the least competitive with other sectors, which is why we’re also asking for the lowest pay point to be abolished, with more freedom to set starting salaries.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has long called for the Government to consider the “P-factor” in its decisions on police pay – the element of police pay that reflects the unique obligations and responsibilities police officers experience relative to other comparative roles.

Andy said: “The Police Federation has been calling for fair pay for a long time and I welcome Sir Mark's comments. Police pay is appallingly low.

“We are asking officers to deal with more than ever before, we are seeing more officers being assaulted and facing more scrutiny than ever, all while they are being significantly underpaid. How can the police force attract and retain recruits if they are expected to be paid so little?”