Police Officers Deserve Above-Inflation Pay Rise

Police officers deserve an above-inflation pay rise this year, Hampshire Police Federation has said, as the new Chancellor praises public-sector workers and hints at a pay rise.

In her first interview from 11 Downing Street, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves hinted that public sector workers could get above-inflation pay rises this summer. It has been reported that some public-sector independent pay bodies have recommended 5.5% and that the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) may have recommended a 5% rise for officers.

Ms Reeves said: “I really value public service workers, in our schools, in our hospitals, in our police as well…” and she added that she planned to announce pay settlements before the end of July.

Hampshire Police Federation Chair Zoë Wakefield said that police officers were accustomed to being disappointed in their pay deals: “We’ve been given such poor pay rises over the years that our expectations are very, very low.

“But an above-inflation pay rise would be great. It would reduce that deficit that we’ve got in our pay, as we’re currently 18% in real terms below where our pay should be. If we get an above-inflation pay rise that would just narrow that deficit a little bit.”

Police officers had a dangerous role in society and should be compensated appropriately, Zoë said.

She continued: “Police officers deserve this and forces are struggling to recruit and retain officers. I’m sure it’s the same in schools and hospitals as well – if you want people to provide that public service, you’ve got to pay them a decent wage.

“And of course officers have the P Factor too, with the risks that we take in the job. We saw that at the Police Bravery Awards, with the number of officers that had been stabbed, shot at and attacked and have carried on doing their job to detain people. How do you put a price on that? Officers have prevented the public from being injured on many occasions, so it’s the least we deserve.”