Wellbeing survey results 'little surprise' says branch chair

12 August 2025

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris says the results of this year’s National Police Wellbeing Survey ‘come as little surprise’.

Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service, has published its annual survey report, which provides an insight into the lived experiences of officers.

More than 40,000 members of the UK police workforce, including rank and file officers and Specials, took part in the survey.

It found that two-thirds (67%) of officers experienced physical exhaustion, 58% emotional exhaustion, while 41% officers felt stressed about their financial situation.

The threat faced by Federation members in doing their job was again highlighted, with 44% of officers and 39% of Specials physically assaulted in the past year, while one in five officers and Specials have experienced discrimination from the public.

High-risk roles

Officers working in high-risk roles, such as response, CID, and public protection, showed higher levels of emotional exhaustion and lower wellbeing, Oscar Kilo said.

The report found that 29% of the workforce reported an intention to leave their force or policing in the next year, with work-life balance (17%), remuneration (15%), and poor leadership (13%) the most common reasons.

The 91-page report also identified strong foundations, including almost nine out of 10 (89%) feeling confident in their knowledge, skills, and experience to do their job.

Four out of five said their team pulls together, 81% feel trusted in their role, and two-thirds are proud of their work.

Darren said: “The results of the Oscar Kilo research come as little surprise and, on top of our own Pay and Morale Survey, emphasise the scale of the demands placed on our members.

 

 

“It is really positive that we continue to have strong foundations in policing and that the majority are proud to serve and protect.

“But that sense of duty can’t be relied upon forever. They are only human and many are experiencing emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion.

“Our members put themselves in harm’s way every day, and they deserve our support when they need it.

“We need this report to lead to tangible long-term change, with investment into looking after our members’ welfare and wellbeing.”

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chief’s Council described the survey results as ‘deeply worrying, but sadly not unexpected’.

Feedback

He said: “While the feedback describes the positive elements of a police workforce who feel trusted, capable, and proud, it also describes a workforce who are exhausted, with high levels of burnout described, alongside low levels of general wellbeing.

“This is very concerning indeed, and change must happen.

“Put simply, we are asking too much of those working within the service, and the feedback through this survey demonstrates the serious nature of the reality on the ground. 

“We recognise that it is not only the nature of police work which affects individual’s wellbeing, but also things such as insufficient resource to meet public expectations, complex and changing criminality, degraded facilities, systems and technology, and constant change.

“These are elements that need to be addressed urgently for the service, and this is why the Government’s programme of Police Reform must be a priority.

Change

“It is only by taking a wide-ranging and holistic look at policing, for the first time in decades, that essential, meaningful and long-lasting support to our workforce can be achieved. Colleagues in policing want to be trusted, capable and well, so we can concentrate our full efforts on the public we serve.” 

Andy Rhodes, service director for Oscar Kilo, said: “This is a vital moment for policing to listen, understand, and act. We now have the clearest picture yet of where the service is – and what needs to change.

“The results will directly influence work happening at both a local and national level. They will also inform the police reform agenda, the NPCC Workforce Strategy, and the delivery of the Police Covenant.”

Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing said: “Wellbeing in policing isn’t a luxury – it’s an essential necessity.

“Every officer, member of staff and volunteer deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued in their role. These results are a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, a team.”

READ MORE: New national survey highlights problems with 'ill-fitting' police uniforms.