Pay Should Reflect Officers' Daily Sacrifices

24 July 2024

“We have endured years of below-inflation pay rises and pay freezes that have created a devastating financial gap. Police officers have suffered a 16% real-terms pay cut over the past 12 years.”

The Government has been advised to grant police officers a nearly 5% pay rise this year.

The Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) is understood to have recommended this increase.

Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke has echoed these calls, urging a substantial pay rise in recognition of the bravery, professionalism, and compassion officers demonstrate daily.

Sussex Police Federation Chair Raffaele Cioffi stated: “It is encouraging to see the Government not dismiss calls for above-inflation police pay rises. These increases are not only necessary but long overdue. Our members have been neglected by previous governments for over a decade, suffering a 16% real-terms pay cut over the past 12 years due to below-inflation pay rises and pay freezes.

“A 5% pay rise for 2024 is a step in the right direction, but it does not fully acknowledge the sacrifices our members make daily, putting themselves in harm's way to protect the public.

“Recently, the Federation polled its members on industrial rights, specifically collective bargaining, and 97.7% were in favour. This overwhelming support emphasises the trust and confidence our members place in fair pay negotiations.

“The continuous disregard for our members’ financial wellbeing has taken its toll. They demand independent pay reviews with binding arbitration, similar to what MPs have. Labour claims to be the party of the people; it’s time for them to prove it and back their words with action.”

Speaking ahead of an expected announcement on public sector pay rises before the Parliamentary summer recess, HMIC Mr Cooke told the Daily Telegraph: “I’ve said before many times that the police are not paid enough.

“But we are in a difficult financial time when public money is scarce and there needs to be a sensible approach to how much of a pay rise can be afforded across the country.

“So for the risks that they take, for the bravery they show, for the professionalism they show, the compassion that they show on a daily basis, yes, I would always say the police should be paid more money, particularly front-line officers.”