Wellbeing survey shows a third want to leave policing within a year
12 August 2026
Almost a third of people who took part in a national police workforce and wellbeing survey said they may leave their force or policing altogether within a year due to work-life balance, pay and benefits or issues with leadership.
The survey, the largest of its kind ever conducted, was run independently by Leapwise on behalf of Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service.
“Sadly, I am not surprised at the results of this survey but they do concern me. We are already seeing more and more officers leaving policing, with a high percentage of them leaving with less than five years’ service,” says Jess Davies, chair of West Midlands Police Federation.
“The overall wellbeing of police officers, police staff and the whole police family has to be prioritised if we are to stop this exodus. Forces cannot effectively serve their communities if they are not looking after the people who deliver policing.
“I would like to think the results of this survey will be a wake-up call to senior officers, politicians and the Government but time and time again officers’ views seem to fall on deaf ears.”
The survey attracted a record 55,602 responses – equivalent to one in five of the entire workforce – from police officers, Police Community Support Officers, staff, Specials and volunteers from every rank and role, across 33 of the 43 regional territorial police forces across England and Wales – so it provides the most comprehensive picture of wellbeing in policing to date.
The results showed:
- More than half of respondents (56 per cent) regularly feel physically exhausted
- 45 per cent regularly feel burnt out, and
- Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) regularly work beyond their contracted hours - rising to 72 per cent among officers. The most commonly cited cause is consistent and clear: not enough people or cover to meet demand, and with the load falling heaviest on frontline and operational roles.
- Almost half of respondents (47 per cent) plan to stay in policing for at least three years, above all, because they enjoy the role.
- Three in ten people say they may leave their force, or policing altogether, within a year - citing work-life balance, pay and benefits, or issues with leadership.
Yet, despite the worrying results, the survey also reflects a workforce that believes in the job. Almost nine in ten (89 per cent) say they have the skills and experience to do it, and a similar amount (82 per cent) say their team works together to improve the service they provide.
