THE Police Pay announcement for 2020 must bring officers pay back in line with cost of living following years of cuts, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said.<\/p>\n
Police officer pay is still around 18% below what it should be in real terms and the last pay rise was 2.5% \u2013 well below the level requested by the Police Federation of England and Wales.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chairman Steve Kent said that although the 2.5% rise last year was welcomed by officers, it was just simply not enough. The Police Federation of England and Wales requested and evidenced why 5% was required.<\/p>\n
He said \u201cObviously I welcomed the 2.5% last year, but I don\u2019t think it was enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year I\u2019d like to see a 5% pay rise to bring officers back up to speed. And then after that at least an increment that\u2019s above inflation to cover the increasing costs of living which is causing officers to really suffering.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s very realistic to ask for 5%, and I think it would be a good gesture from the Government going forward, and a sign that they appreciate the hard work that officers are doing up and down the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor most officers 5% would work out around \u00a3100 more (a month) in their pay packet \u2013 but it\u2019s a symbolic rise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steve added that police pay needs to reflect the risk that officers take day in day out.<\/p>\n
He continued \u201cPolice officers need to see a reflection for the risks we take in the job we do. And I don\u2019t just mean physical risks \u2013 the risk of litigation and the prospect of being stood in court in front of a judge. We need to start reflecting that in pay.\u201d<\/p>\n
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