Survey highlights need for urgent review of PNB Agreement

20 March 2025

The results of a national survey of the inspecting ranks underline the need for an urgent review of the 1994 PNB Agreement, says West Mercia Police Federation.

Speaking on behalf of the branch, Pete Nightingale said inspectors and chief inspectors were working excessive hours without extra reward and he feared it could have long-term impact on their health.

Following the 1994 PNB Agreement, the inspecting ranks have worked under different regulations from constables and sergeants.

The inspecting ranks had their basic pay increased by around £3,000 a year but, in return, were no longer paid casual overtime.

Compensation

They lost the right to compensation for cancelled rest days and for working on a bank holiday, other than the day being re-rostered.

There is also no right to a shift pattern, unlike constables and sergeants.

Pete, who was a temporary inspector, said: “A review of the 1994 PNB Agreement is long overdue.

“It’s 31 years since the agreement was introduced, and policing and the roles of the inspecting ranks have changed beyond all recognition in that time.

“The roles and responsibilities have changed. Inspecting ranks are held to account for much more in terms of performance, standards, and resources.

Long hours

“They’re trying to do all of these things, working long hours often at short notice under increasing scrutiny without compensation for it. It’s unfair and could well have a long-term impact on individuals.

“There’s a growing feeling that the agreement is unfair and in need of urgent review, and that is supported by the results of this survey.”

Pete was commenting on the results of the Inspecting Ranks Survey by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW).

It revealed that almost a quarter (23 per cent) worked between 21 and 40 hours extra a week.

It also found that two thirds (67 per cent) reported working an extra 0-20 hours above their 40-hour week.

The vast majority (93 per cent) felt inspecting ranks working full time should be entitled to a rostered shift pattern within Police Regulations.

While 85 per cent disagreed with the lack of additional payment for working on public holidays.

The PFEW survey also found:

60 per cent of respondents are dissatisfied with their basic pay, with dissatisfaction higher among Chief Inspectors (70 per cent) than Inspectors (57 per cent)
81 per cent of expressed dissatisfaction with their allowances, with dissatisfaction highest in roles like road policing (87 per cent) and investigations (85 per cent)
78 per cent of are dissatisfied with their overall remuneration, with dissatisfaction higher among Chief Inspectors (84 per cent) than Inspectors (77 per cent)
65 per cent disagreed with not receiving extra pay when required to work in another force area (i.e. mutual aid)
80 per cent prefer a choice between financial compensation or a rest day in lieu for having to work on a rest day
During a four week period, 74 per cent of respondents perform 0-4 days of duties above their rank

John Partington, PFEW acting national secretary, said the Federation had ‘serious concerns’ the agreement was ‘outdated for modern policing’.

He said: “The findings have been included in our pay positioning document that has been made available to the PRRB.

“This has led to us asking for changes to the regulations that cover the Inspecting ranks.

“I have also raised the PNB 1994 agreement at the Police Advisory Board with the view that no organisation would allow a 31-year-old agreement to still be in place without a review.

“There doesn’t seem to be any other stakeholder with the view that this does not need to be reviewed.

“However, we will need to see what recommendations are made from the PRRB over the next few months.”

Read the headline results of the Inspecting Ranks Survey.