Don’t suffer in silence because of money worries

OFFICERS who are struggling to make ends meet should contact their Federation rep or office rather than suffering in silence, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.

Record numbers of police officers are using food banks and struggling to pay bills, recent research has found.

The Police Federation of England and Wales’ annual pay and morale survey revealed last month that one in 10 officers can’t afford essentials and many are having to rely on food vouchers.

Zuleika Payne, Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “In real terms our pay has fallen 14.8% over the last six years, and I struggle to find any area of industry which has experienced the same hit.

“Sadly for officers it is a double edged sword, because if you fail to discharge a lawful debt then you would be subject to misconduct matters. But also as a serving police officer it’s very, very difficult to secure authorisation to have secondary employment. Officers are so over worked, it is highly unlikely that they would have the capacity to take on another job outside the Police organisation.”

“So where that extra income may help some people sustain themselves, it could be unlikely that your organisation will allow you to hold a second job.

“And not only that, because officers are being pulled from pillar to post, having rest days cancelled, struggling to secure annual leave, then the likelihood that they would have the time to actually engage in secondary employment is also highly unlikely. So officers can be forced into hardship.”

Zuleika said she shared officers’ frustrations, the realities of their financial hardship are disturbing.

She added: “For those who are experiencing these issues, we hold financial surgeries at the Federation office, and we do work closely with organisations that come up with debt solution packages. Please don’t suffer in silence. If you want to speak to somebody in confidence, please contact the federation office.”