Vertical Markets

Police report

by msecadm4921

Tom Winsor has brought out the final part of his review into police pay and conditions. The former rail regulator was commissioned in October 2010 to make an independent study into how police in England and Wales are rewarded – the biggest examination of its type for more than three decades.

Paul McKeever, Chairman of Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Having just received Tom Winsor’s 1,000-page Part Two report we will all need time to properly analyse its contents and assess the impact of the recommendations for constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors throughout England and Wales. However, without the need to even turn a page I can tell you what police officers are currently thinking.  They have already made a significant contribution to tackle the national debt; we’ve seen a minimum 20 per cent cut to the police budget; the loss of 16,000 police officers expected over the next four years; £300 million removed from police pay; increased pension contributions; a two-year public sector pay freeze and then a capped 1pc increase in years three and four. How much more are police officers expected to take?

“Police officers have had enough of the constant state of uncertainty and the deliberate, sustained attack on them by this government. They want to get on with the job they joined to do, serving their communities, and they expect the support of government. Instead they find themselves contending with cuts to pay and conditions of service, increased stress and pressures, falling numbers of police officers, low morale and the privatisation of essential police functions. Despite a growing list of demands and the reality of the cuts, they are doing their very best, but they know the government cuts are jeopardising public safety and the quality of service they are able to provide. The service cannot take anymore; enough is enough.”

Winsor’s work concluded with the publication of the second part of his review – into long-term transformation and modernisation of pay and conditions.

Policing Minister Nick Herbert said: ‘We would like to thank Tom Winsor for his work in producing this wide-ranging and detailed document and we will consider carefully his recommendations.

‘Our comprehensive package of police reforms will support the police in improving service to the public and developing professionalism – giving us a better crime-fighting force for the future. The existing police pay system was designed over 30 years ago. We want police pay and conditions that are fair and fit for the 21st century.’

Mr Winsor, who was assisted by former chief constable Sir Ted Crew and top economist Richard Disney, released the first part of his review in March. Recommendations from the report into short-term modernisation and reform were considered by the police negotiating bodies. The Home Secretary accepted the verdict of the Police Arbitration Tribunal in January and work is ongoing to introduce the changes recommended.

Speaking for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the ACPO lead on workforce development Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: “Chief officers look forward to reading this report and will carefully consider the recommendations. Police forces are facing a huge financial challenge but the need to reform the way our staff are rewarded and developed is not driven by money alone. Policing has become far more complex and specialised. Our staff want to see their individual talent and contribution recognised and the public want to see police effort targeted where it will have most impact.

“Chief officers have been clear that they want to move away from rank and length of service being the sole criteria for increased pay and take into the account the level of expertise staff have achieved and their contribution to meeting the public need. We have staff driven by a great sense of vocation and commitment to the public and it is crucial that their morale and motivation is maintained and that the police service can continue to attract the most able people.

“Chief officers have been clear that we will need radical approaches to absorb the current and future budget cuts and maintain the protection of the public. At the same time we must not put in danger the core ethos of service and self-sacrifice in policing that has served this country well.”

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