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Police chiefs have released a joint statement calling for an increase in officer pay across all ranks, adding that officers do not currently believe their reward package is fair.
The statement by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the Chief Police Officers’ Staff Association (CPOSA) and the Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) to the Chairs of the PRRB and SSRB is in response to the 2025 submissions on police officer pay and conditions in England & Wales.
‘The service continues to operate in a context of year-on-year real-term pay cuts for officers,
alongside requirements for efficiency savings from forces,’ the statement notes.
As a result of a below expectations rewards package and increased demand, officer morale is low, the statement continues.
Each organisation’s recommendations include a pay uplift (NPCC recommendation of 3.8%,
and PSA and CPOSA of 4.8%), and uplifts in a number of allowances, many of which have not
been reviewed for a considerable time.
Given that there is an estimated shortfall of 12,000 officers and significant financial instability, forces cannot absorb any additional cost without an impact on the public and risks for the delivery against the Safer Streets Mission, say police chiefs.
Each organisation’s recommendations include a pay uplift (NPCC recommendation of 3.8%,
and PSA and CPOSA of 4.8%), and uplifts in a number of allowances, many of which have not
been reviewed for a considerable time.
These changes together will help with the recruitment and retention of officers and in turn support the Government’s Safer Streets Mission, Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and its focus on reducing knife crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls.
“Below market starting salaries for constables and real term pay cuts for officers poses a significant challenge to attracting and retaining talented police officers.
“To deliver against the Government’s Safer Streets Mission and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee we need to recruit, build and retain skills, attracting those people with the aptitude but also values and standards we need in policing.
“Our recommendations recognise the significant financial pressure facing both forces and government, whilst advocating for the critical need for a funded uplift in officer pay which reflects the incredibly challenging nature of the job.”
Assistant Chief Officer Philip Wells. National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Pay and Conditions.
The full NPCC, CPOSA and PSA joint statement can be downloaded from the NPCC website.
The statement follows the news yesterday that Essex Police is planning to make all of its 99 PCSOs redundant in an effort to balance its budget.
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