Police Pay Update

7 February 2025

Police officers are tired of being “taken advantage of” by the Government when it comes to pay, Sussex Police Federation has said.

In its recent submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) recommended an annual pay uplift of 3.8% for officers from September 2025. Meanwhile, staff associations for chief officers, Superintendents and Chief Superintendents have recommended a higher pay uplift of 4.8%.

The NPCC is also asking the PRRB and the Government to raise the starting salary for PCs and review pay scales to match skills and experience.

But Raffaele Cioffi, Chair of Sussex Police Federation, said that the NPCC’s suggestion of a 3.8% pay increase “highlights the disconnect between police chiefs and the true needs of rank-and-file officers”.

He said: “Despite pay increases in 2023 and 2024, officers have suffered a real-terms pay cut of 21% since 2009. This is a longstanding issue that requires immediate Government action.

“My members are tired of being ignored by those who claim to hold us in high regard while taking advantage of us when it comes to pay, knowing that we are unable to take industrial action. We hold a unique position in society, where we are not permitted to withdraw our labour, yet they choose to disrespect us and continue to withhold what we are worth.”

Last year, a survey conducted by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) showed that over 97.7% of members wanted them to pursue collective bargaining and binding arbitration.

Raffaele said: “This sent a clear message from the membership that they feel undervalued and require appropriate remuneration for the risks they take on the Government's behalf.

“The PRRB is full of broken promises, and binding arbitration will address this. Members have not failed to notice that we were at the bottom of the awards last year compared to other public-sector workers, receiving only 4.75%. The Government must be bold and address this pay gap, and show police officers the respect they deserve.”