Leicestershire police officers 'stressed, overworked, undervalued'
2 in 3 local police officers said they would not recommend joining the police
Last updated 15th Apr 2024
Leicestershire Police officers reported feeling stressed, overworked, undervalued and are considering leaving their jobs.
Around 2 in 3 officers (64 per cent), said they would not recommend joining the police, the Leicestershire Police Federation revealed.
Around 81 per cent reported in a recent survey feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety or other health and wellbeing concerns over the last 12 months, with 44 per cent saying they found their job “very or extremely stressful”.
15 per cent said they intended to resign from their jobs either “within the next two years” or “as soon as they can”.
The data was compiled by the Police Federation of England and Wales in its 2023 Pay and Morale report. Some 445 responses were received from Leicestershire police officers.
Leicestershire Police said it was aware of the report’s findings and “alive to the concerns raised”. The force added the “wellbeing of all staff is very important” to the force and it “continues to maintain an open dialogue with serving officers to take necessary steps and ensure that Leicestershire Police is seen as a good place to work”.
In addition to the morale and wellbeing of officers, the survey also looks at police pay. According to the report, 82 per cent of Leicestershire officers feel worse off now compared to five years ago and 15 per cent said they “never or almost never” have enough money to cover all their “essentials”.
Around 72 per cent of officers said they are dissatisfied with their pay. The Government granted a seven per cent pay rise to police officers in 2023, but the Leicestershire Police Federation said they have seen a “real-terms pay cut” of 16 per cent over the last 12 years.
The federation added police chiefs are requesting a six per cent rise for 2024, saying the “high cost of living in the UK is placing an even bigger strain on officers, as well as hampering recruitment”.
"Officers feel dissatisfied with the level of pay and allowances"
More than 90 per cent of Leicestershire police officers said they do not feel respected by the Government.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We recognise the incredible role that police officers do up and down the country, and last year, we awarded a consolidated pay increase of 7% to officers of all ranks.
“The retention of police officers is a priority for the government and our latest survey of new police recruits found that 85% of respondents were satisfied with their job, with 72% intending to stay in their role until retirement age.”
The Home Office added it is “committed to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of all police and is working closely with police leaders to ensure this”.
This includes providing ongoing funding to the National Police Wellbeing Service, which provides evidence-based guidance, advice, tools and resources which can be accessed by forces, the department said.
When asked about their workload, 72 per cent of respondents from Leicestershire Police said it was “too high or much too high” over the last 12 months.
57 per cent said they have “never or rarely” been able to take an 11 hour break between shifts in the same time frame, and 37 per cent said they “always or often” feel pressured into working long hours.
Andy Spence, acting chair of Leicestershire Police Federation, said: “The survey results show us clearly that officers feel dissatisfied with the level of pay and allowances. Over 80 per cent of officers are worse off than they were five years ago. The workloads of officers has gone up and over 70 per cent said that their workloads were too high.
“Over 80 per cent of officers have suffered with stress, low mood and anxiety. Over 90 per cent do not feel respected by the Government; over two thirds would not recommend others to join the police.”
He added: “The Government need to sit up, look at these figures and realise that the officers they rely on to run towards danger are the same ones who are having days off cancelled, feeling worn out and devalued. Every time a politician says that there will be extra officers at work what they mean is that officers have had days off cancelled, they have had extra work given to them from a Government who does not recognise the important role they have.
“We are asking the Government to make a fairer system for pay, to understand the risks and limitations that officers face and give a meaningful pay increase.”
A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: “We are aware of the findings of this survey and are alive to the concerns raised by officers. The force undertakes its own surveys of officers and staff to identify and address any issues and feedback.
“The wellbeing of all staff is very important and the force continues to maintain an open dialogue with serving officers to take necessary steps and ensure that Leicestershire Police is seen as a good place to work.”