Fifth of police officers plan to leave by 2025 due to poor pay and low moral

An annual police survey has revealed the severity of the crisis faced by rank-and-file officers and highlighted a sense of deepening frustration around the UK Government’s failure to assist with reasonable pay and conditions.

The Police Federation of England and Wales’s (PFEW’s) Pay and Morale Survey for 2022 has found around a fifth of police officers, or 19 per cent, planning to leave the job by 2025 amid low morale and dissatisfaction over pay.

The survey found that 19 per cent of officers never or almost never had enough money for essentials as the cost of living crisis deepens.

The survey also highlighted a growing crisis in the mental health and wellbeing of police officers.

86 per cent reported experiencing feelings of stress, low mood, anxiety, or other difficulties with their health and wellbeing over the last 12 months. 94 per cent said they did not feel they were paid fairly for the stresses and strains of their job.

The survey paints a picture of police forces that are overworked, underpaid, and deeply unhappy with the treatment it receives from the UK government.

97 per cent said their treatment by the UK government had harmed their morale, with 88 per cent saying the same for pay, and 95 per cent stating that they did not feel respected by the UK government.

This has led to a crisis in recruitment and retention, with 13 per cent of respondents indicating that they intended to resign either within the next two years or as soon as possible.

94 per cent stated they are not paid fairly for the stresses and strains of their job.

“The results clearly illustrate the anger and disillusionment of our brave colleagues and can no longer be ignored by the policymakers.” PFEW has said.

The results of this survey make it clear that the UK government must take urgent action to address the crisis facing police forces.

Mark Jones, General Secretary of North Wales Police Federation said: “The Pay and Morale survey is a real insight to how police officers are feeling on a range of issues.”

“The Government must take notice of those who cannot strike, not ignore the deepening crisis that is unfolding across policing in Wales and England.”

“Without taking action and supporting police officers, our most valuable asset in the fight against crime, ultimately the public will suffer.”

“Underpaid and overworked officers cannot offer the service the public deserve.”

Mr Jones said: “It is unprecedented so many of our members want to resign before they have completed their full service, and for the future of policing, this crisis needs to be urgently addressed through better pay and a new focus on the wellbeing of colleagues.”

“Police officers are realistic professionals who fully understand the public purse is not a bottomless pit.”

“But the sheer unfairness of once again being snubbed for a meaningful pay rise, added to rising inflation, will not be forgotten by our members.”

He said: “There is quite evidently a growing crisis in the wellbeing and mental health of those who head towards danger and a defined link between these issues and the diminishing pay packets.”

“The entire service is underfunded, and police officers have been totally undervalued by this Government, and therefore the relationship between those responsible for the public purse and those who serve the public has been damaged almost beyond repair.”

“The Government has lost the trust of colleagues, and its wilfully negligent attitude towards pay and funding has been devastating to morale and could impact on the service’s capability for decades to come.” Mark Jones said.