Stress, workloads and a pay packet that doesn\u2019t reflect the demands of policing are major factors in an increase in the number of officers voluntarily resigning from the police service.<\/p>\n
New figures show that nationally, more than 8,000 officers left the service in the past year; with the most common reason being voluntary resignation.<\/p>\n
In South Yorkshire, 118 officers resigned from the service in that time period.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent said the figures illustrated the extent to which officers are being burnt out by the job.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThis links in with the HMICFRS report that said South Yorkshire Police required improvement for the morale and wellbeing of the workforce.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think people are increasingly burnt out by what they do for a living. That’s not just in South Yorkshire, it’s across the country. But I think people are very tired.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think people realise that for the stress and workloads that they have to endure in policing, that the reward isn’t reflecting that. So I think people are seizing opportunities to leave police on an increasing basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd sadly, from conversations I have and briefings I go to, a lot of people are actively looking and considering other work.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese ultimately will force the Government\u2019s hand in terms of a pay and conditions review. But that might be one, two, three, five, 10 years down the line; by which point we all have absolutely lost a massive swarm of experienced officers, and it\u2019ll almost be too late.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be left with what we’ve got at the minute, which is a very keen and hardworking, but inexperienced from line. And that will get even worse when we’re having to replace experienced cops with new officers. So this needs to be, to pardon the pun, arrested as soon as possible and stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n