The call for police officers to receive a ‘thank you’ payment for their work throughout the pandemic has been supported by Staffordshire Police Federation chair Phil Jones.
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has set out its reasoning for officers to receive a three per cent pay increase and the special one-off reward payment in its annual submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB) in conjunction with the Superintendents’ Association.
Phil said: “The selfless and relentless work of police officers should absolutely be acknowledged in this way. From the very start of this pandemic, police officers have been a critical part of the nation’s response not just fighting crime and protecting their communities in all the usual ways but also working with the public to help protect the NHS by adhering to the Government’s lockdown restrictions.
“Since the first lockdown was announced in March last year, they have had to continually adapt to changing guidance and regulations and, regardless of the risks to their health and the possible dangers to their own families, they have remained on the frontline, trying to do their best.
“I think this thank you payment could be a good morale booster and a sign that the Government recognises their role during the pandemic.”
Alex Duncan, the national Federation secretary, said asking for an increase in officer pay after the public sector pay freeze announcement may seem pointless but was necessary.
He explained: “Police officers have been at the forefront of this pandemic and continue to put themselves and their families at risk, working long hours every day to keep the public safe during these unprecedented times.”
The Federation has questioned the Government’s pay freeze decision when the Spending Review awarded forces with budgets to include officers being recognised for their work during the pandemic.
Alex added: “The Home Secretary states in the remit letter that the Government only took that decision in extraordinary circumstances but this is the fifth out of seven PRRB rounds that vital evidence has been completely disregarded,
“Vital work goes into informing submissions made to the PRRB and it is disheartening to see this being ignored time and time again. You cannot blame us for questioning whether this process is effective.”
The Federation is seeking the three per cent pay rise for all officers and a ‘thank you’ payment on the basis that an uplift is feasible and that the private sector has rewarded key workers with a similar payment.
