Officers being hit in the pocket time and time again, says Federation secretary

28 June 2022

The secretary of Suffolk Police Federation says it’s demeaning for officers to have to police public sector picket lines when they’re fighting for their own cost of living pay increases.

Ben Hudson said the irony wasn’t lost on Federation members that, by law, they aren’t allowed to strike to better their own pay and conditions but that officers and resources were diverted to address those of rail workers.

Ben said: “I’m not criticising the rail workers one bit. Their strike was lawful and came about because they felt industrial action was the last resort.

“But that last resort is not available to our members and we have to have to rely on goodwill from the Government and the public.

“Despite being on the frontline of the pandemic and on the frontline of any public sector pay dispute while continuing to carry out our day-to-day policing duties, we’re being hit in the pocket time and time again – and it’s demeaning.

“The fact is we’ve endured a 20 per cent cut in real terms in wages since 2010 – and that’s before the current cost of living crisis. Something has to change.”

Ben’s comments were echoed by Steve Hartshorn, chair of the national Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

Steve said that some Federation branches are handing out food vouchers to help officers cope with the rising cost of living.

“The police officers of our country are not asking the Government for a favour,” he said. “They are asking for their rightful entitlement – fair pay!”

Read more of Steve’s comments.

Tiff Lynch, the deputy chair of the national Federation, said that while the country is “coming to terms with the cost of living crisis… officers have been grappling with the cost of living for many years”.

She said: “All we want is fair pay. Pay that reflects the unique role we play in society, the risks we face and, let us not forget, police officers all too often pay the ultimate price when serving their communities.

“We also need a truly independent pay mechanism and longer-term funding settlements that will allow police leaders to effectively plan policing services.”

Read more of Tiff’s comments.