POLICE officers might consider rejecting any differing and divisive pay rises offered by the Government in 2016, it has been argued.<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said that any differing pay rises for officers could cause the same issues as Special Priority Payments.<\/p>\n
The Home Secretary has written to the Police Remuneration Review Body to introduce targeted pay rises up to 1%.<\/p>\n
In the letter dated 9 November, Theresa May wrote: \u201cIn considering the appropriate level of pay for police officers I would ask you to have regard to the need to ensure that the proposals reflect the Government\u2019s policy on public sector pay\u2026 In particular, that there will be funding for pay awards up to an average of 1% a year, with the expectation that these will be applied in a targeted manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs May also called for pay to better reflect \u201ccompetence, skills and professional development of officers\u201d, along with a review of overtime rates for bank holiday working, motor vehicle allowance rates and the away from home allowance.<\/p>\n
Mr Bowles said at a recent meeting of the Board \u201cthat there was a feeling that if there was a group of officers that got 2% and one group of officers didn\u2019t get anything, there\u2019s a feeling that perhaps we should turn it down.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat maybe officers should stand together and turn down a differing pay award, rather than an across the board one.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe idea would be to show solidarity, that they shouldn\u2019t muck about with a pay system that\u2019s been negotiated and works. Experience matters. You learnt his job by experience so therefore you should reward length of service. It\u2019s also a way to keep officers in role.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the same with Special Priority Payments that was such a divisive payment that only a maximum of 40% of your officers could get it. The 60% were obviously absolutely teed off with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the Government\u2019s trying to divide and rule, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n