Page 28 - WMPF Federation FebMar2021-Hi_Neat

Annual Federation survey

Officers’ concerns

over pay and

morale

CURRENT EVENTS
new survey which found more than The survey was carried out across all 43
half of West Midlands Police forces in England and Wales giving more The Covid-19 crisis
A ederation members have low than 130,000 Federation members their first Overall, 42 per cent of respondents
F
morale has been described as “hugely opportunity to provide detailed feedback on from West Midlands Police said that
THE COVID-19 CRISIS
concerning” by Federation branch chair Jon how policing the pandemic had affected their force has managed officers
Nott. their finances and wellbeing. It revealed: well during the Covid-19 crisis.
Overall, 42% of respondents from West Midlands Police said that their force has managed
The Police Federation of England and l 42 per cent of respondents from West This is lower than the proportion
officers well during the COVID-19 crisis. This is lower than the proportion of respondents in
Wales (PFEW) annual pay and morale survey Midlands Police felt the Force has of respondents in the country as a
found that 52 per cent of West Midlands managed officers well during the whole where 49 per cent said that
the country as a whole where 49% said that their force has managed officers well during the
respondents feel their morale was low or pandemic, against a national average of their force has managed officers well
very low. 49 per cent COVID-19 crisis. during the Covid-19 crisis.
This is the seventh highest level in the l 72 per cent said West Midlands Police
country and is set against a national had kept them up to date with Covid-19- To what extent do you agree or
To what extent do you agree or disagree that your force has
average of 48 per cent. But this is still an related guidance, the figure nationally disagree that your force has managed
officers well during the Covid-19
improvement on last year’s survey in which was 78 per cent managed officers well during the COVID-19 crisis?
59 per cent of members reported low l Just under a third (32 per cent) said they crisis?
morale. had received adequate training on the
The survey also found that 86 per cent of crisis versus 41 per cent across the
respondents felt morale in the Force was country.
low or very low, compared to 95 per cent Other key findings from West Midlands 29%
last year. Nationally, the figure was 75 per Police Federation members were:
cent. Pay and remuneration 42%
Jon said: “It’s been an incredibly tough l 83 per cent of respondents said they
year and the pandemic has clearly had an don’t feel they’re paid fairly for the
effect on everyone’s lives. Police officers have stresses and strains of the job, and 76 per
been on the frontline throughout, they’ve cent said that they’re not fairly paid for
protected and served the public, and they’ve the hazards they faced. Nationally, the
continued to perform their every day roles figures were 86 per cent and 77 per cent
as well. respectively 28%
“In responding to this survey, they’ve l 72 per cent said they were dissatisfied
raised real fears and worries about their with their overall remuneration,
morale and their pay, and some of the including pay and allowances 42% Agree
29%
Neither agree or disagree Agree
results are hugely concerning. l 35 per cent worried about the state of Disagree Neither agree how disagree
“While we are pleased to see that there their finances daily or almost daily, lower 28% Disagree
has been an improvement in morale since than the national figure of 37 per cent
Nationally, 78% of respondents said that their force had kept them up to date on COVID-19
last year’s survey it is still unacceptable that l 58 per cent felt they were worse off
related guidance. 72% of respondents from West Midlands Police said that their force had
more than half of our members are suffering financially than they were five years ago Attitudes towards the police
kept them up to date on COVID-19 related guidance.
with low morale which will have a serious l Seven per cent reported never or almost l Two thirds of respondents (67 per cent)
impact on their wellbeing. never having enough money to cover said they did not feel valued in the police
compared to 57 per cent nationally
“As a Federation, we will be discussing their essentials. 32% of respondents from West Midlands Police told us that they have received adequate
this survey with chief officers and we will Morale l 44 per cent felt they weren’t treated
training on the COVID-19 crisis from their force. In the service as a whole, 41% of
work with the Force to address the issues it l The top reasons given for low morale fairly, the second highest figure in the
respondents said that they have received adequate training on the COVID-19 crisis from their
highlights though we acknowledge that were how the police are treated as a country
police officer pay and pensions are both whole (93 per cent), pay and benefits (74 l 65 per cent said they wouldn’t
force.
matters which have to be tackled on a per cent), pension (73 per cent) and the recommend joining the police to others,
national basis.” Covid-19 crisis (69 per cent). the third highest figure in the country.

28 federation February/March 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids

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