Page 5 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2017

IN NUMBERS:

months of uncertainty for officers at a time
when they are already run ragged at work The number of members the Police Federation
and, in some cases, struggling financially as has written to as part of its campaign for better
a result of the cuts.
While any pay increase will be backdated 120,000 protection for police drivers
from the time of the announcement to 1
September the date of our annual pay rise (if
we get one), it could be months before we
actually see any increase in our pay since it 2,000 The number of police officers lost in the
takes the Force some time to update all its West Midlands since 2010
systems.
Apart from anything else though, this
delay does nothing to make officers feel
valued and appreciated.
Maybe I am being unfair, maybe this
delay is because the Chancellor needs more 924 The number of officers in England and Wales
time to work out how the Government could lost in the last year
afford pay awards of above one per cent.
We appreciate that in reality there is no
magic money tree, but there are also no
magic police officers who can keep making
ends meet despite the increased cost of 365 The number of days a year the Welfare
living and their decreased real term wages. Support Programme operates
Police officers seem to be expected to
perform all sorts of tricks as they try to
provide the same service with fewer
resources but maybe it’s time the
Government conjured up some solutions
too? 71 The number of officers nominated for this
As part of the pay review process, the year’s national Police Bravery Awards
Police Federation of England and Wales
(PFEW) submitted its rationale for a 2.8 per
cent pay rise to the Police Remuneration
Review Board (PRRB) ahead of its deadline.
For its part, the PRRB also sent its
recommendations to the Government on 23 The percentage increase in gun crime, in the
schedule. year to 31 March 2017
For the review process now to be delayed
by the Government shows disrespect to
PFEW and the PRRB but also all police
officers; police officers such as our own PCs
Ryan Patel and James Neilson who put their 20 The percentage increase in possession of
lives on the line to protect their weapons, in the year to 31 March 2017
communities and have just won a regional
Police Bravery Award.
With or without that magic money tree
now is the time for the Government to show
its support and respect for policing and
police officers. 10 The percentage rise in recorded crime
We have heard much praise for the brave
actions of police officers during the recent
atrocities but what we really need now is for
the Government to listen to our reasoned,
1 The current percentage cap on public sector
and evidenced, arguments for a better pay
deal. pay rises

www.westmidspolfed.com federation August/September 2017 05