Staffordshire Police Federation has given its full backing to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) after it stepped into the bitter pay row which sparked a vote of no confidence in Home Secretary Priti Patel.
NPCC chair Martin Hewitt has written to Ms Patel on behalf of all chief officers in the wake of confirmation of a pay freeze on officers earning more than £24,000-a-year.
His letter says: “Taken together with the continuing effects of a decade of austerity around officers’ pay, there is no question that properly rewarding our incredible people is now a significant issue of concern for chief constables.
“We simply believe they deserve better and that it is the responsibility of Government to address this across the forthcoming spending period.”
It continues: “For many it feels unfair and that their contribution is undervalued. And, unlike other parts of the public service, officers do not have the option of industrial action to make their case more strongly.
“As the Government makes spending decisions over coming months, we urge you to fund a settlement which properly reflects the important and complex work police officers do, and starts to address the pay shortfall.”
Staffordshire Police Federation chair Phil Jones said: “Our members feel they are being unfairly treated and deserve much better. The NPCC rightly acknowledges the extraordinary challenges police officers have faced over the last 18 months and we welcome the fact that it is calling for that courage and determination to be properly recognised by the Government.
“It is time the Home Secretary realised the strength of feeling among officers of all ranks and she should take action to repair the broken relationship between Government and policing.
“We fully support the NPCC calls for a fair settlement and want the Police Remuneration Review Body to be given back its independence.
“We have bitterly opposed this pay freeze since it was first announced and our position has not changed. Hopefully, the Home Secretary will take note of this letter and make good on the pledges she made at the Police Federation conference.”
