Inspectors’ survey lays bare issues affecting the rank

24 February 2025

Two thirds of inspectors work up to 20 hours a week over their working hours during a four-week period, according to the headline figures from a nationwide survey.

And almost a quarter (23 per cent) work an extra 21 to 40 hours in that time.

The survey revealed three fifths (60 per cent) of respondents said they were dissatisfied with their basic pay, with dissatisfaction higher among chief inspectors (70 per cent) than inspectors (57 per cent).

More than eight out of ten (81 per cent) expressed dissatisfaction with their allowances, with dissatisfaction highest in roles like road policing (87 per cent) and investigations (85 per cent).

Dissatisfaction

Over three quarters (78 per cent) reported dissatisfaction with their overall remuneration, with dissatisfaction higher among chief inspectors (84 per cent) than inspectors (77 per cent) and highest in the Midlands (84 per cent).

A total of 85 per cent of respondents disagreed with the lack of additional payment for working on public holidays, with a higher proportion of disagreement among roles such as the central communications unit (91 per cent) and custody (90 per cent).

“The results of this survey lay bare the issues that are affecting our inspecting ranks,” says Tim Rogers, secretary of West Midlands Police Federation.

“We are aware that morale is low among the whole workforce, but there are some particular grievances among our inspectors that need to be addressed. I hope this survey, which evidences where there needs to be change, leads to these issues being addressed.

“Inspectors and chief inspectors have a critical role within the Force, they need to feel valued, supported and appropriately paid for that role.”

Tim said it was high time that inspectors’ over-time provisions were revisited, as the last changes were now outdated.

Ranks

“On 1 September 1994, the environment in which the inspecting ranks worked within the police service changed beyond recognition. It was on that day that the ‘new conditions of working for inspectors and chief inspectors’ were agreed by the now defunct Police Negotiating Board (PNB), and with it the entitlements to payment for all over-time and working on public holidays and rest days were removed - except cancelled annual leave where payment is still an option,” he explained.

“We are now 30 years on from the 1994 agreement and the roles and responsibilities for the inspecting ranks have changed. The current situation is unworkable and unfair so it should be reviewed as a matter of urgency.”

The survey of inspectors and chief inspectors was carried out by the Police Federation of England and Wales during 2024 and the full details are being collated.

The initial results have, however, been included in a Federation pay positioning document that has been made available to the Police Remuneration Review Body, the organisation that makes recommendations to the Government on police pay awards.

The Federation is seeking changes to the regulations that cover the inspecting ranks, in the light of the survey’s findings.