Crime commissioner responds to latest police officer pay and morale survey results

Wiltshire and Swindon's Police and Crime Commissioner has responded to the latest survey results issued by Wiltshire's Police Federation which has shown 85% of Wiltshire Police officers feel ‘worse off’ financially now than they were five years ago.

The Pay and Morale survey was published today by the Police Federation of England and Wales, with more than 500 Wiltshire Police Officers taking part in the research.

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson said: “In order for the public to receive the police service they want, and deserve, it is essential that our police officers are given the best possible training, equipment, support generally, alongside strategic leadership and direction.

“They also must feel supported, within the Force, and valued by a public who understand Wiltshire Police are going the extra mile on their behalf in these difficult economic times. Above all, this requires Wiltshire Police officers to be paid a decent salary.

“We have many dedicated, hard-working, police officers in Wiltshire and ultimately our success as a police force depends upon us getting the right people for the job, training and developing them well and then rewarding them appropriately so that they stay with us.  

 “Wiltshire Police has faced repeated performance criticisms over the last six months so these low morale figures are, unfortunately, not surprising. A lot of expectation is placed on police officers and there is an increased, and repeated, demand for them to take on the duties of the other emergency services, which is having a major negative impact upon their ability to deliver the core policing functions which inspired them to join the police in the first place. It is little wonder why our officers feel so frustrated.

 “Community safety depends upon an efficient, effective and legitimate police force, so I am taking this report extremely seriously. Many of the underlying causes of concern raised by the adverse observations in our recent assessments are already being tackled between my office and the current Chief Constable and will continue once the new Chief Constable is in place.

 “We know morale is directly related to job satisfaction and I know that Wiltshire Police officers want nothing more than to keep Wiltshire’s residents safe and to be appreciated for doing so. This must be our number one goal in the coming year and is an issue that I have no doubt the next Chief Constable will want to tackle immediately. My office will give all of the support, and more, needed to do that.” 

Published Wednesday 11 January 2023