Page 6 - WMPF Federation DEC 2019-flip

Pay and morale survey

Half of officers

regularly worrying

about their finances

lmost half of the West Midlands that not only attracts the very best people to
Police Federation members who policing but also ensures we retain the How often do you find yourself
Aresponded to a nationwide survey on experienced officers we have.”
pay and morale said they worried about the As well as painting a depressing picture worrying about the state of your
state of their finances either daily or almost on the issue of pay, the survey findings also personal finances?
every day. revealed that West Midlands Police
The results of the annual Police Federation members were concerned about
Federation survey, carried out among poor morale.
members across England and Wales, also A total of 95 per cent of West Midlands
revealed that 81 per cent of West Midlands respondents felt morale within the Force was
respondents were dissatisfied with their currently low with more than half (59 per
overall remuneration – including basic pay cent) saying their own morale was low, the 31%
and allowances. sixth highest figure recorded in the survey for 46%
Three quarters also felt they were worse this question.
off financially than they were five years ago The reasons given for low morale were:
with 13 per cent reporting they never, or l How the police as a whole are treated
almost never, had enough money to cover – 87 per cent 16%
essentials. This was the 10th highest return l Management of change within the
in the country for this question. police – 83 per cent
A total of 91 per cent of West Midlands l Pay and benefits – including pension – 80 6%
respondents said they did not feel fairly paid per cent
for the stresses and strains of the job while l Work-life balance – 64 per cent 2%
86 per cent said they did not feel they were l Health and wellbeing – 60 per cent
fairly paid for the hazards they faced. l Workload and responsibilities – 58 per 46% Every day
“The results of the survey do not come as cent
a huge surprise to us,” says Steve Grange, l Opportunities for development and 31% Almost every day
secretary of West Midlands Police promotion – 50 per cent 16% Occasionally
Federation. l Treatment by senior managers – 49 per
“We know that years of austerity and cent 6% Almost never
below-inflation pay rises have had an impact l Day to day job role – 46 per cent.
on police officer wages, meaning that they Almost three quarters (70 per cent) of 2% Never
have not kept up with increased living costs. those from the Force who responded to the
“Police officers play a unique role in survey said they would not recommend
society, putting their lives on the line to joining the police to others, the sixth highest
protect their communities and they should in the country, and one in 10 said they survey said they are not treated fairly, the
be suitably and fairly paid for the critical intended to leave the police service either seventh highest.
work they do. I hope the Government and within the next two years or as soon as The pay and morale survey is carried out
other decision-makers take note of the possible with low morale, how the police are by the Police Federation of England and
findings of this survey and realise that it’s treated and the impact of the job on their Wales each year with the responses being
time for officer pay to be looked at again. health and wellbeing cited as the main used to provide evidence in its negotiations
“At a time when we are trying to recruit reasons behind this. with the Government, forces and other
Just over a third (35 per cent) of members
20,000 new police officers nationwide, we from the West Midlands who took part in the stakeholders.
“ The results of the survey do not “ members this year, a response rate of 19 per
A total of 1,237 responses were received

need to ensure that we have a pay package
from West Midlands Police Federation
cent compared to a national response rate of
16 per cent.
come as a surprise to us.

The survey opened on 10 June this year
and closed on 30 August.
06 federation December 2019/January 2020
www.polfed.org/westmids