Police officers have suffered a 16% real-terms pay cut over the past 12 years

14 March 2024

Sussex Police Federation is urging the Government to “listen to your most senior officer and make a meaningful change in police pay”.

Federation Chair Raffaele Cioffi 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.”

Raffaele said it was good to see the Met Commissioner speaking out about the “appalling state” of police officers’ pay and living standards.

He added that the Government must 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 comparative roles.

Raffaele said: “Our members sacrifice their minds and bodies to deal with some of the most horrific incidents that life can throw at people.

“In the year ending March 2023, there were 40,330 recorded assaults on police officers across England and Wales – an average of 110 assaults a day. This is an unacceptable reminder of the risks officers face when they’re just doing their jobs.

“It is only fair and just that our members are afforded the opportunity to be reasonably compensated for the sacrifice they make by holding the office of Constable.”

Poor police pay was also putting people off joining the job, Raffaele said: “It is sad that I say this about my own profession, but with the current state of the economy and the level of pay our members receive, it has become an unattractive role to join.

“The Police Remuneration Review Body must be independent and able to implement fair pay awards to our members. We are simply asking for the same independent pay awards body as MPs have, but this seems to be a difficult concept for the Government to grasp. Listen to your most senior officer and make a meaningful change in police pay.”