Federation welcomes comments from Essex Chief on pay

21 March 2023

West Mercia Police Federation has welcomed the latest comments from a senior police leader in support of calls for a pay increase for police officers.

Chief Constable of Essex Constabulary, BJ Harrington, was quoted in the national media warning that low pay was forcing his experienced officers to quit, and 300 officers had asked him for permission to take on second jobs.

His comments echoed those of Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley who warned in February that national recruitment targets would not be met without a pay rise that kept up with inflation.

Pete Nightingale, secretary of West Mercia Police Federation, said: “The Federation has found that police officer pay has fallen in real terms by almost 20 per cent since 2010. If it had kept pace with inflation, we’d be seeing starting salaries of around £32,000, not pay around the £23,500 mark like currently. This makes a difference at any time but particularly in a time of high inflation. 

“Officers have household expenses and families like everyone else in the public sector and if you cannot make ends meet then, inevitably, we will continue to see police officers turning their backs on the profession. This is exactly the opposite of what the Government is seeking to achieve through the officer uplift programme.

“Rather than this continued betrayal of our dedicated police officers we need to see an independent pay review body and a commitment from the Government to implement its recommendations. If not then calls for police officers to able to take industrial action are likely to grow.”

Essex boss Mr Harrington was quoted in the national press after speaking candidly to 83 new recruits about the realities of the job. 

He said: “My colleagues are proud – they are not the kind to complain but someone has to speak up for them and their families. You can’t Taser the gas bill and you can’t handcuff the family food shop at Lidl. And you can’t arrest rising mortgage bills.”

Mr Harrington quoted an example of a recently promoted sergeant in his force who resigned soon after passing national investigation exams, as well as a policeman with a new baby on the way who quit to earn £250 a day as a scaffolder.

The Chief Constable also shared images from a food bank in one of his stations, run by colleagues to ensure their fellow officers have something to eat. 

He added: “We are a team, and I’m so proud to see that but it also breaks my heart that people who have put themselves in harm’s way to catch the worst criminals are having to rely on their mates so they can go home to a hot meal at the end of their shift.”