Page 5 - WMPF Federation AUG-SEPT 2019_Neat

Home Office backs

2.5 per cent police pay rise

Police officers have been awarded a 2.5 per cent pay increase. will announce the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review
The Police Federation of England and Wales said it was a ‘small – and that must include substantial, centrally-funded investment to
step in the right direction’. ensure the service is fully and properly resourced, encompassing a
It is the first time in three years that the Home Office has significant, real-term rise in officer pay.”
accepted in full the recommendations of the Police Remuneration As well as the pay rise, which applies to all ranks and comes into
Review Body (PRRB), the independent review body advising the effect from 1 September, the Government announced:
Government on police pay. l An increase in the on-call allowance from £15 to £20 per 24-hour
However, national Federation chair John Apter has insisted the period for all Federated ranks
Government must do more to make up for years of real-term pay l A 2.5 per cent uplift in the dog handlers’ allowance
cuts endured by Federation members. l A 2.5 per cent uplift in London weighting, and
“Police officers have suffered nine years of pay freezes and pay l No change for apprentice and degree holder progression pay,
caps. So, while this pay award represents the highest received which means those joining the service will continue to receive
since 2010, it is not what we and the Police Superintendents’ the current incremental pay rises through their probationary
Association jointly asked for – however, it is better than the period.
derisory rise our members were given last year,” says John. The Police Federation, in a joint submission to the PRRB with the
“It is positive to see the Government abiding by proper process Superintendents’ Association earlier this year, had sought a three-
and accepting all the recommendations of the PRRB which it has year pay deal for officers with a five per cent uplift in each year to
failed to do for the past two years. But this must be just the start bring police pay back to ‘fair levels’.
of getting police officers pay back to the level it should be.” However, if the three-year deal was not considered possible, the
But he continues: “Before the next pay award, the chancellor Federation put forward a claim for a 6.2 per cent rise this year.

Police covenant

Sajid Javid announced plans to establish a across the Force. As the latest HMICFRS colleagues, recognising the unique nature of
police covenant to recognise the sacrifice report highlights, one in five serving officers the job. And it would be the first crucial step
made by police officers just days before and staff now have a form of post-traumatic in the long, painful journey towards
leaving his role as Home Secretary after stress disorder. restoring the policing vocation to its former
being appointed as chancellor in Boris “For most bobbies, the experience of standing.”
Johnson’s Cabinet re-shuffle, traumatic incidents is weekly or even daily. The Home Secretary also gave his
The covenant will recognise that police The strangulation of resources and backing to plans for the Police Federation to
officers are not employees but rather hold specialisation of functions has concentrated extend its support to Special Constables,
the ‘office of constable’ which comes with a the handling of certain types of incidents which will give the volunteers the option of
high level of personal accountability and and investigations in the hands of fewer the same protections as their colleagues.
responsibility for the protection of life and police. This makes them experts in their field There will be a consultation period on
property. but it also means that for many there is no the plans for the covenant.
Mr Javid announced plans for the respite from exposure to evil and trauma.
covenant at the Police Bravery Awards “None of us would deny that this is what
ceremony on 18 July. we signed up to. I cannot ever recall hearing
“This will be a pledge to do more as a a single complaint from a police officer on Follow us
nation to help those who serve this country. that score. Most of us see policing as a
It will ensure the sacrifice made by the vocation. Like soldiers in the army, we do on Instagram
police is properly recognised,” he said. what we do out of a sense of public duty,
“I’m in awe of every officer who plays and with knife crime soaring we often find Members can now follow us on Instagram.
their part in keeping this country safe. Rest ourselves on the front-line of violent crime. Simply search for West Midlands Police
assured, the Government has your back – “Given all this, the adoption of a new Federation to access our posts.
and the police covenant will make sure of police covenant, which former cabinet The Instagram presence is part of our
that.” minister Esther McVey MP and the Police co-ordinated communications strategy and
Rich Cooke, chair of West Midlands Police Federation have advocated should now be aims to make it as easy as possible for
Federation, has welcomed the news: enshrined in law, is urgent and something members to find out about our
“Attending and picking up the pieces of the new Prime Minister should make a top activities and engage
shootings, stabbings, suicides and being priority. with us.
physically attacked yourself are happening “A covenant would provide a legal
multiple times to the same individuals guarantee of care and support for

www.polfed.org/westmids federation August/September 2019 05