Survey reveals officer stress

13 March 2019

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke says years of cuts and under-investment have left the Force ‘over-stretched and under-staffed’.

He was speaking as the national Federation’s new Officer Demand, Capacity and Welfare Survey revealed that 84 per cent of members in the West Midlands feel there are not enough officers to do the job properly. That is slightly less than the national figure of 90 per cent.

The survey, published on 13 February, also found that 73 per cent of West Midlands Police Federation members feel their workload is too high or much too high. Nationally, that figure is 72 per cent.

And 79 per cent of respondents indicated they had experienced feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety or other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the last 12 months, in line with the national figure.

Rich said: “This is an important survey but it makes for concerning reading. It shows that our service is over-stretched and under-staffed leaving us unable to effectively meet the needs of our communities.

“Years of cuts have taken their toll on the service and on individuals, who are increasingly feeling the stress and strains of policing on a shoestring. Something has to change. The Government has to recognise the invaluable work of our members and invest in policing so we can properly protect the public.”

The survey, which is the only national policing survey of its kind, was carried out by the Police Federation of England and Wales, throughout August and September last year.

More than 18,000 officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector gave their views on the demand currently experienced by the service and how this has affected them. This is the second time this survey has been conducted, the first being in 2016, with 884 responses from West Midlands Police, representing a 14 per cent response rate.