Federation Chair: Our Colleagues Need Better Support From Government

14 March 2025

Norfolk Police Federation Chair Andy Symonds reflects on the results of the most recent Police Family Finance Survey which showed how officers are struggling and considering leaving the force. 

Andy said: "Police officers deal with the most horrendous things that society chucks at them. They work tirelessly and selflessly to get results for victims of crime, to stop harm coming to vulnerable people young and old. 

"They put their own physical and mental health in harm's way to protect us. They are the best of the best and I for one am so proud to represent them, to support them through tough times when needed both professionally and personally. 

"But what must stop happening - taking into account all of the brilliant and extremely challenging situations we put officers into - is to not treat our members with fairness when it comes to pay and conditions. 

"We must have a process that takes into account the unique nature of the vocation that is being a police officer. 

"The high likelihood that you will be injured, assaulted sometimes meaning you cannot work again. That police officers have zero industrial rights. 

"Therefore I implore the Government and Chief officers to make changes to the way in which police pay is decided, move to a fairer system that allows a seat at a negotiating table. 

"Officers are around 20% down in their pay with all the years of either zero or 1% pay awards. 

"Yes we’ve seen a 7% pay award back in 2023 and a 4.75% in 2024. But this was down to how high inflation was running. In fact the 2024 pay award of 4.75% was one of if not the lowest pay award of all the public sector awards. 

"So another sign that no account is taken into consideration of the unique nature of being a police officer.

"Officers are struggling financially and this means they are not always concentrating of the job which is stressful enough to deal with without the added stressors of worrying how they pay the bills or feed their family. 

"We have supported a number of officers with food parcels to help them through a difficult period. I would urge any officer to get in touch with us and we can support and signpost to get them help."

More about the Police Family Finance Survey can be see here