Hands Off Our Rest Days

10 April 2026

“Trying to save pennies by cutting what you pay officers on rest days is a slap in the face”, the Chair of Sussex Police Federation has said, as the national Federation launches the campaign ‘Hands Off Our Rest Days’.

The campaign is a response to proposals from police chiefs that would weaken protections around police officers’ rest days.

Officers are currently entitled to a minimum four hours’ compensation at time and a half when they are required to work on a cancelled rest day, recognising the disruption to protected rest and family commitments.

In its submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has proposed to remove that safeguard, with officers paid at time and one-third, calculated in 15-minute increments, for the exact time worked. The submission also seeks to tighten the rules around how cancelled rest days are re-rostered.

The Police Federation of England and Wales has launched ‘Hands Off Our Rest Days’ as part of its wider Copped Enough campaign for better pay, working conditions and support for police officers.

Sussex Police Federation Chair Raffaele Cioffi said: "The NPCC is barking up the wrong tree. Trying to save pennies by cutting what you pay officers on rest days is a slap in the face to hard-working police officers. Instead of squeezing hard-working officers, go where the real responsibilities lie: Government funding.

“Officers aren't a piggy bank you raid when you can't face the bigger fight. If you want to talk fairness, start with securing proper support from those who hold the purse strings. The Office of Constable has given enough. We have been attacked by our own leaders. Our goodwill is diminishing and will soon be extinguished."

Officers are encouraged to join the virtual picket line at: https://polfed.org/campaigns/copped-enough/