NEW Pay & Morale Survey 2022

PAY AND MORALE SURVEY 2022

PFEW Survey highlights severity of policing crisis

Lancashire officers respond to Police Federation’s latest Pay and Morale Survey

The Police Federation of England and Wales’s (PFEW’s) Pay and Morale Survey 2022 has revealed the severity of the crisis faced by rank and file officers and highlighted a sense of deepening frustration for the Government for continuously failing to assist with reasonable pay and conditions.

The survey reflects the Government’s failure to invest in policing in the long-term leading officers to breaking point. Underfunded forces, and overworked and underpaid police officers is leading the profession to a level of crisis not seen before.

In Lancashire at least 99 per cent of police officers reported facing a substantial increased cost of living between August and September 2022 with an increase in the cost of the food shopping being the most common reason.

Furthermore,16% of police officers reported ‘never’ or ‘almost never’ having enough money to cover all their essentials.

The compelling findings have also illustrated a growing crisis in the wellbeing and mental health of police officers, with 81% indicating they had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety or other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the last 12 months.

The results clearly illustrate the anger and disillusionment of our brave colleagues and can no longer be ignored by the policymakers.

Of 775 officers who responded, 95% said their treatment by the Government harmed their morale with 87% saying the same for pay, while 94% stated they did not feel respected by the Government.

The long-term attraction and viability of the traditional 30-year career is jeopardised, as 11% of respondents said they intended to resign either within the next two years or as soon as possible; 90% of those who wanted to quit blamed poor morale, 71% attributed this decision to the treatment of police by the Government and 68% cited pay as the reason.

The vast majority 81% disclosed they are ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘very dissatisfied’ with their overall remuneration (including basic pay and allowances).

Additionally, 71% of respondents said they would not recommend joining the police to others.

66% of police officers reported facing verbal abuse in the past 12 months and 18%of them said they had suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention because of work-related violence in the last year.

In fact, 95% stated they are not paid fairly considering the hazards faced within their job.

Rachel Hanley Chair of Lancashire Police Federation said: “Policing urgently needs a fair pay mechanism to restore faith in the Police pay process, we are urging the government to work with the Federation to ensure Police officers receive a meaningful pay rise and support the profession of policing. We will be writing to our local MP’S to urge them to support our campaign for fair pay for police.” 

36,669 took part nationally in the survey, which ran between September and October this year. In Lancashire, 775 officers responded.

The Government must take notice of those who cannot strike, not ignore the deepening crisis that is unfolding across policing in England and Wales. Without taking action and supporting police officers, our most valuable asset in the fight against crime, ultimately the public will suffer. Underpaid and overworked officers cannot offer the service the public ultimate deserve.

PFEW are lobbying the Government and calling on local MPs on behalf of our members to produce real change and action.

Click on the link to the right to read the survey