‘I feel sorry for student officers coming in now’

21 April 2022

A Suffolk Police Federation workplace representative who works closely with student officers during their probationary period says financial woes are to blame for many leaving.  

Emma Arthurs, who has worked in the Professional Development Unit for four years following more than a decade on the frontline, has revealed she is constantly referring student officers to the Federation to access financial advice.

Emma Arthurs.

She explains that she regularly sees trainee staff sacrificing their bank balance to pursue their dreams of having a career in the police and fears the Force could lose valuable officers as a result.

“I feel sorry for students coming in now,” says Emma, who joined the Force more than 18 years ago.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s the best job in the world but I would find it hard being a student officer now. Financially, I know I’d struggle.”

Emma’s comments are part of Suffolk Police Federation’s ‘Fair Pay For Police’ campaign, which was launched after it was revealed 16 per cent of those recruited into Suffolk Police since the end of 2019 have already quit their role.

“I’m saddened to see so many really good officers leaving the Force,” Emma said, admitting that when she joined the Force she spent the first 17 weeks training while staying on-site, with all her meals provided.

“This was the norm back then but students these days just don’t get those benefits anymore. It’s the little things like that, which made things easier for us,” Emma adds.

“Things are different now. The cost of living has probably tripled since I bought my first property. Food costs more and the price of houses is ridiculous, yet police pay doesn’t reflect this.

“I know I’m lucky. Having spent so long in the Force, I have seen my wages increase and my wife has a good job – but she has probably had three pay rises in the time that I had one.”

Poor pay, combined with long shifts and lack of sleep are all leading to student officers struggling during their probation period.

“People are not only making sacrifices financially but they’re juggling time with their family and work too,” she continued.

“I think officers know they’re going to be working shifts but I don’t think you really know the impact of those long nights back-to-back until you are actually in the job. It’s a massive change to their lives and I think it can have a real knock-on effect on their emotional wellbeing.”

Emma says she worries officers will start sacrificing things like joining the Federation, so they save money.

“The one thing I don’t want to happen is student officers are deciding not to join the Federation because they can’t afford it. I’ve experienced first-hand the exceptional help the Federation can give – you honestly never know when you’ll need them,” Emma says.

“Ultimately though, this all boils down to pay. The pay doesn’t reflect what’s being asked of us and the things we see.

“And more than ever, it’s a real kick in the teeth to hear that MPs are getting a pay rise, while we’re not. I feel like the police have been totally forgotten.”