The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is continuing to engage with parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to press for meaningful reform on behalf of police officers.

At this year’s political party conferences, PFEW highlighted the growing crisis in pay, retention, and officer wellbeing as part of its Copped Enough campaign, urging MPs and Peers to back a package of changes to restore fairness, protect the frontline, and tackle the worsening mental health crisis in policing.

National Chair Tiff Lynch, Deputy National Chair Brian Booth, National Secretary John Partington and Deputy National Secretary Mel Warnes were among the National Board and National Council members – including Belinda Goodwin, Paul Matthews. Paul Williams, Jess Davies and Tim Rogers – who attended the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative Party conferences.

Police officers have suffered a real-terms pay cut of over 20 per cent since 2010, with the latest 4.2 per cent pay award barely keeping pace with inflation. Many officers are now effectively earning a fifth less than they did a decade ago.

PFEW is calling for a closure of the 21 per cent pay gap since 2010 and for the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) process to allow for consultation and collective bargaining, and for binding arbitration to determine police officer pay.

An independently fair pay mechanism for police officer pay and conditions that officers and staff associations have confidence in is also desperately needed. The PRRB itself is limited to considering matters directly requested by Government, inhibiting the independence of the body and making the process ineffective and unfair.

After six years’ service, a police constable earns at least £10,000 less than a nurse or teacher with equivalent experience. With resignations up 140 per cent in five years, projections show more than 10,000 officers a year could leave the service by 2027, draining vital experience and costing billions to replace.

Assaults on police officers have also risen by nearly 40 per cent since 2015, with more than 41,000 attacks recorded last year. Officers are facing growing risks for lower real-terms pay, and often without consistent access to welfare support.

PFEW is calling for mandatory force reporting and response to officer suicides and trauma, fully funded mental health and rehabilitation centres and tougher penalties for assaults on officers.

An amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill is being drafted to make suicide reporting mandatory for all police forces, with the Home Secretary required to publish an annual Police Covenant Mental Health Report to Parliament.

PFEW is also lobbying for an amendment to Section 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to give officers the power to require drivers and passengers to exit a vehicle once stopped - a change designed to improve public and officer safety.

Current legislation allows officers to stop a vehicle but not to compel occupants to leave, a gap that has led to serious injuries when drivers refuse to comply. PFEW’s proposed new clause - Section 163ZA - would close this loophole and give officers clear authority to act.

PFEW National Chair Tiff Lynch said: “Our members have had enough. They continue to serve their communities under immense pressure, for less pay in real terms than they received over a decade ago.

“We’re asking Parliament to stand with policing - to back fair pay, protect the welfare of those on the frontline, and help create a service where experience is valued, and every officer goes home safe.

“Recruiting new officers is not enough. It takes years to train a police officer, but only moments to lose one. We’re haemorrhaging experience that cannot simply be replaced.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the many MPs and Peers who have already taken the time to engage with us and understand the challenges facing policing. Their support is invaluable in helping us push for the changes our members urgently need.

“Parliamentarians can make a real difference by tabling questions in Parliament on the real-terms cut in police pay, signing EDM 1256 on negotiating rights, joining the virtual picket line via our website, and supporting PFEW’s amendments on recording police suicides and protecting officers under the Road Traffic Act.

“We also encourage MPs and Peers to meet with their local Federation representatives, who can share first-hand experiences from the frontline in their constituency.

“Together, by shining a light on these issues and backing fair pay and welfare reforms, we can help build a policing service that is properly supported, respected and sustainable for the future.”