‘Your survey responses will help Fed fight for fairer pay and conditions’

20 September 2024

West Mercia police officers are being urged to take part in the Federation’s annual Pay and Morale Survey, which went live on Monday.

Officers will have received a link to the survey via email and responses will be used by the Federation to evidence the need for better pay and conditions, as well as highlighting concerns around wellbeing and attitudes towards the job.

The findings also feed into the annual State of Policing assessment produced by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in England and Wales.

Steve Butler, chair of West Mercia Police Federation, said: “I really hope colleagues will find the time to fill out this survey. I appreciate this is a big ask with current workloads being what they are, and there may be a tendency to think ‘not another survey’ but it is critical that you tell us what you think.

“And we don’t just want to hear about your concerns and issues - we want to find out what makes you happy in your role, too. This is a chance for us to shine a light on the positive aspects of policing, not just the negative.

Fair pay

“Your responses will help the Federation nationally and regionally to evidence the pressure that police officers in West Mercia are under and the impact of the job on mental health and wellbeing, as well as other areas of your life. It will help us to fight your corner on issues of fair pay and safer working conditions.

“These are really important issues, not just for you individually, but for your colleagues too. So my message is this: ‘help us so that we can help you’ – the bigger the survey sample, the more clout we will have when negotiating on your behalf.”

Last year’s survey found that 95 per cent of officers felt the morale in the West Mercia Force was low and 15 per cent were planning to leave within two years. 81 per cent of respondents felt they were not being fairly paid given the hazards they face and 47 per cent are stressed at work. 16 per cent had suffered one or more injuries from work-related violence in the previous year.

There are three new questions this year. One references the recent riots across the UK and its impact, and another asks specifically about social media and how it influences the way you perform your role, and what aspects of policing should be considered when police pay is being reviewed.

The closing date is Monday 28 October 2024. If you have any questions or have not received a link to the survey then contact the Federation office.