Inspecting ranks told they must record their working hours

INSPECTORS and chief inspectors could risk making bad managerial decisions because of the long hours culture that prevails in the two ranks, a conference heard this week.

Alan Ogg, chairman of the Federation’s Inspectors’ Central Committee, said inspecting ranks should “examine ourselves and when necessary start saying no” to some tasks.

All inspectors and chief inspectors were urged to record their working hours.

A study last year revealed that police inspectors and chief inspectors regularly work in excess of the 48 hour week limit specified in the Working Time Regulations. One-in-four inspectors in England and Wales reported working more than 48 hours in the reference week and one in ten reported working more than 56 hours.

Speaking this week, Mr Ogg said: “There has been a greater proportionate reduction in inspectors than in any other rank. We are the officers who deliver the crucial link between operational policing and the wider strategic policing function.

“We all know we are working harder and longer than before. We need to take stock, examine ourselves and when necessary start saying no.

“No one is indispensable – in order to do a good job and make the right decisions those which ensure our officers’ and the public safety, we cannot work in a way which prevents sound decision making being possible. “

Richie Jones, of South Wales Police, said: “As middle managers we should have the ability to put the pen down and to go home. When a critical incident comes in, we accept we have got to deal with it but day to day inspectors really need to focus on recording their hours.”

Another inspector added: “We are actually breaking the law. What is required from an inspector is an average of 40 hours over  five days. We know inspectors are working far, far more than that. On some occasions, massive amounts over that. We have got to get the message through that we are entitled to a reasonable working week.”

Irene Curtis, president of the Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, said: “Our members are experiencing very similar issues. I am guessing that for many of you in the room, our members are the cause of the problems.  They are working excessive hours and you are modelling yourself on them, their expectations of you. Our members are suffering that from chief officer ranks.”

Mrs Curtis emphasised there was a need for inspectors and chief inspectors to “gather evidence” about hours worked as chief constables do not believe there is an issue.

Alex Marshall, chief executive of the College of Policing, said: “I am optimistic that change can be achieved. But you need a body of evidence. Chiefs have a responsibility to make sure that the working lives of inspectors and chief inspectors and superintendents are not overly burdened.”