PFEW asks Government for 1% police officer pay rise
THE staff associations representing police officers up to and including the rank of chief superintendent have asked for the country’s cops to receive a one per cent pay rise in 2015.
In their joint submission to the Police Pay Review Body, the Police Federation of England and Wales and the Superintendents’ Association have asked for an “uplift of 1% for all”. However they have also asked that more “appropriate adjustments” are made in future years.
This the PFEW said is “to ensure officers are not left behind others when the UK economy is more buoyant.”
The remit for the new police pay review body was published by Home Secretary Theresa May in November last year. Mrs May made it clear that recommendations needed to “have regard to government policy on public sector pay for 2015/16 being an average of up to one per cent.”
The Police Federation of England and Wales and Superintendents’ Association document – published this week – states: “In this financial year we ask for an uplift of 1% for all, including officers who receive an increment: to basic pay, existing regional allowances, and all allowances that are normally included in uplifts, such as Dog Handlers’ allowance.
“This is based on our recognition of the Government’s intent, and the need for public sector austerity; and our concern that there should be no further divisive pay changes, such as increases for some but not others, without there being an evidence base modelling likely impact.
“However, over time, we also recommend that the economic data we have provided be considered in future pay uplifts, as demonstrating the need to make appropriate adjustments to ensure officers are not left behind others when the UK economy is more buoyant.
“We ask that the PRRB consider this at the earliest opportunity.”
It adds: “We are concerned that the public sector pay freeze followed by below-inflation pay rises together with the freeze on incremental progression has led to a reduction in the living standards of police officers when compared with other sectors.
“We would wish this to be considered and addressed by the PRRB at the earliest opportunity. We also consider it important that an effective comparison is made between the pay and conditions of service of police officers and those roles undertaken within other professions which are of similar significance and comparable responsibility, to ensure that police officers are not disadvantaged and are properly rewarded for what they do”.
The document also references research carried out to back up their submissions. It adds: “We have collected evidence from members that demonstrate a link between the negative impact on morale of recent changes, including the Winsor Review and austerity measures, and intention to leave.
“Modelling of the impact on the psychological contract, and its relationship to intention to leave, shows that on a five point scale for each unit increase in perceived contract breach the odds of officers planning to leave the police increased by 89%.”
With the introduction of a Police Remuneration Review Body issues over police officer pay and remuneration in England and Wales will no longer be negotiated.
Instead the Review Body will consider evidence submitted by interested parties – ACPO, police and crime commissioners and staff associations – and then advise the Home Secretary, who will make all final decisions on pay.
The Government also want the new Police Pay Review Body over the next five years to consider issues including buying out Sgts’ casual overtime. The PFEW submission states: “We are opposed to the buy-out of Sergeants’ overtime. We believe that overtime will always be necessary, and better management of it is the key to ensuring a fair and efficient system.”
You can see the full 233 page document here http://polfed.org/documents/PFEW_and_PSAEW_submission_2nd.pdf