The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is lobbying the Government for a truly independent and impartial pay mechanism for police officers and remuneration which factors in the dangers officers face 24/7, and it is vital that members add their voice to the national campaign.

Going live today, Monday [6 November], the Pay and Morale Survey 2023 is about more than just collecting insights on officers’ pay and working conditions as its findings will serve as a crucial pillar in supporting and taking forward our ongoing national pay campaign.

This campaign, at its core, seeks fairer remuneration for our hardworking police officers and advocates for the implementation of a truly independent and equitable pay mechanism.

The annual survey's importance extends beyond our campaign as it also offers a unique opportunity to gain accurate and timely insights into the current state of police officers’ morale and wellbeing.

These insights play a pivotal role in helping us shape policies that are geared towards supporting our members.

It is a comprehensive effort to provide evidence not only to the Government and key stakeholders, but also inform the public with a thorough understanding of the challenges police officers face in their daily duties.

It also ensures we capture the views of new recruits to the police service, allowing us to inform the Government, key stakeholders and the public of their needs and the challenges they face in their early years too.

National Chair Steve Hartshorn emphasised the critical nature of this endeavour and said: “Your participation in this survey is an opportunity to be heard, and by taking the time to participate in this year's Pay and Morale Survey, you can help us make a difference and fight for the changes you need. Your opinion matters and together, our collective voices are stronger and more impactful.

“PFEW intends to conduct a membership ballot concerning the pursuit of industrial rights as soon as is practicable, as we recognise that the current system is unfair and inadequate in upholding police officers’ rights. However, our annual survey’s outcomes will provide us with even more ammunition and compelling evidence, helping us present to the Government a unified perspective of our members.

“This data is essential to shed light on the constraints and challenges faced by police officers in their round-the-clock daily duties, particularly concerning fair compensation for the risks they encounter. Furthermore, it aims to advocate for impartiality in the pay review process, allowing both parties to access a swift and binding arbitration mechanism.”

PFEW CEO Mukund Krishna said: “This survey gives all rank and file officers the chance to voice their opinion on the state of modern policing. This cannot be underestimated in its power when we represent their views in negotiations and campaigns. It is an important tool in gathering the evidence that represents the realities of policing endured by our members.”

The annual Pay and Morale Survey, conducted by PFEW's in-house Research Department, remains the sole consistent national survey that accurately represents members' perspectives on pay and working conditions.

Closing date: Monday 11 December.

If you have any questions or experience any issues, please email researchanddatacollection@polfed.org.

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