Digital picket line travels to Wolverhampton

11 June 2026

Many officers are still unaware of police chiefs’ plans to alter the arrangements put in place to compensate them for when they have to work on a rest day, according to West Midlands Police Federation chair Jess Davies.

Jess and deputy chair Mat Minton were at Lloyd House on Wednesday to talk about the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) plans and give officers the opportunity to support the Federation’s Hands Off Our Rest Days campaign by signing up to a virtual digital picket line.

“We set up a stand in the canteen and saw really good footfall,” says Jess, “We then went around the building with many officers we met being supportive of the virtual picket line. We also gave a short input to a CPD session for PSD ambassadors.

“We were only at the headquarters building for around three hours but achieved a lot and the engagement with members was really worthwhile. So many officers were just totally unaware of the proposals being put forward by the NPCC which made it even more important that we were able to visit Lloyd House and explain the changes police chiefs are seeking.”

Under current regulations, officers called in on a cancelled rest day are entitled to a minimum of four hours’ pay at time and a half, recognising the disruption to their lives.

But the NPCC has asked the Government to scrap that safeguard, replacing it with time and one third, calculated in 15-minute increments, paid only for the exact minutes worked.

Chief officers also want tighter rules on how rest days are re‑rostered - despite widespread evidence that many forces already fail to return the time owed.

As of 1 March 2026, forces, responding to a Police Oracle Freedom of Information request, reported 817,884 outstanding rest days for constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors. West Midlands Police owes its officers 59,983 rest days

Hands Off Our Rest Days is part of the Federation’s wider Copped Enough Campaign. The Federation is urging as many members as possible to support the digital picket line with West Midlands Police Federation officials planning to tour the Force area over the coming weeks to discuss the nationwide campaign.

“Our visit to Lloyd House was a success and will be the first in a series of ‘stops’ we will make. Further dates and venues will be announced soon,” Jess added.

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