South Yorkshire officers owed 6,833 rest days
POLICE forces in England and Wales owe their officers 1,117 years of rest days.
The service currently owes constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors 407,698 rest days that have been cancelled by their force.
In South Yorkshire, officers are owed 6,833 rest days.
Jim Lucas, Secretary of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “With increasing pressure from reduced staff and public events we are seeing more and more rest days cancelled.
“The knock-on effect is that these days are racking up. We are constantly looking at ways with the force to ensure they are compiling with Police Regulations when days are cancelled.
“Days should be re-rostered within four days and taken within the next three months. Days owed is no fault of the officers. It is now an issue that forces have to deal with, we are not unique with this. Our concern are around this and the ability for officers to take days owed.”
He added: “Home Office reforms have seen reduced officer numbers locally and nationally. We still have to police and still have to resource. Work-life balance is on a very thin thread. We are in debate over the forces decision to strip officers of rest days that are not taken within 12 months. This is not in line with Police Regulations.”
Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said that with the advent of a new computer system at the end of the year “we are now facing a leave embargo in the Autumn and a re-arrangement of nearly 4,000 rest days”.
He added: “This will not help the issue at all.”
Nationally, the staggering 1,117 years figure – revealed by a Freedom of Information Act Request – will in fact be much, much higher as 11 forces in England and Wales, including Greater Manchester Police, did not reply.
John Murphy, lead on health and safety for the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “The issue of outstanding cancelled rest days for officers is a very real one. Rest days provide officers with necessary time off to relax, and spend valuable time with their families and loved ones.
“Policing is a highly stressful occupation and every officer is entitled to this time.”
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Pay and Conditions, Chief Constable Francis Habgood said: “There are a number of reasons why an officer’s rest day may be cancelled which include requirements to attend court, operational reasons or a specific incident.
“Cancelled rest days should be reallocated within a reasonable timescale to ensure that officers do not work an excessive number of hours and days.
“Being required to work on rest days can be unwelcome and, while it is not always within the control of forces, it should be avoided where possible. We are currently investing heavily in ensuring the wellbeing of our officers and staff, part of which is maintaining a manageable workload and giving officers sufficient rest days.”