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The fight for fairer police pay

POLFED

Nottinghamshire Police Federation branch secretary Tom Hill with MP Lilian Greenwood, Nottinghamshire Police Federation Chairman Insp Simon Riley and PCC Caroline Henry.

The fight for fairer police pay was taken to Parliament after Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry opened doors for Nottinghamshire campaigners to strengthen national lobbying.

Commissioner Henry set up a meeting between representatives from Nottinghamshire Police Federation and a number of Nottinghamshire MPs to talk about a range of issues affecting police officers.

High on the agenda was a discussion around addressing an erosion in police officer pay over the last 12 years, with Federation members keen for local MPs to support them by championing the cause in the House of Commons.

Nottinghamshire Police Federation Chairman Inspector Simon Riley and Branch Secretary Tom Hill met MPs including Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood, Gedling MP Tom Randall, Broxtowe MP Darren Henry, Brendan Clarke-Smith MP for Bassetlaw, as well as Life Peer, Lord Vernon Coaker.

Commissioner Henry said: “I believe I am the first PCC ever to invite local Police Federation representatives to meet local MPs and Peers in Parliament and bring together cross-party support. The meeting also allowed a better understanding of the challenges of Nottinghamshire police officers.

“We spent a lot of time talking about police pay and asked for their help to lobby together for a fair pay settlement that was funded by the government.”

Nottinghamshire Police Federation Chairman Inspector Riley said he felt the meeting was very constructive and hoped it would pave the way for a stronger voice on a national stage.

“Since 2010, in real terms, police officer pay has seen an erosion of around 28%,” said Insp Riley.

“Unfortunately, it makes it a less attractive proposition as the starting pay hasn’t changed much at all in that time. Retention is also a massive concern and it’s a massive risk.

“When you consider that police officers put themselves on the line and have massive restrictions on what they can do in their private life it needs to be reflected.

“Many people aren’t aware that police officers can’t go on strike like other public sector workers.  I’m not calling for the right to strike. But if you are looking to recruit the very best people from our communities, we have got to be paying appropriate levels of pay.”

Insp Riley added: “We are really grateful to Commissioner Henry for arranging these meetings and would like to put on record our thanks. It was a good opportunity to meet MPs and raise our members’ concerns.”

 

Posted on Monday 6th March 2023
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