Police annual pay rise?

Question

Why are the police in the UK having to fight for their yearly cost of living pay rise of 3% when other public sector workers are getting it ? Are the police taken advantage of because they have no rights to take strike action ?

Reply to Joseph m........ It may be EEC regulation that everyone has the right to strike but the UK government has obviously got an opt out as far as the UK police are concerned. I have a letter in front of me from the secretary of the police Federation that makes it clear that it is illegal to take strike action.So are you telling me that you know more than the Police Fed. Secretary ??

Answer 1

i'm a police woman, the reason we cant strike is for the same reason we can't join a union. basically, we are not employees. we hold the office of constable and pledge an oath to the queen. we do not share the rights of employees, we cant even take discounts. on the plus side it makes us very difficult to fire

and grumpyoldman..... you are naive... we ARE paid by performance. there are standards set by the home office about how much process an officer must achieve. have you ever considered how ridiculous that is? Having a policeman paid by performace related pay? do you really like the scenario of an officer arresting someone he would usually let off with a warning out of fear he's not meeting his targets? or imagine one officer spending the entire week on a rape case, spending his time getting the statement from the victim and suddenly realising he has to fu.ck off and go stick a few tickets on just to make sure he gets a pay check at the end of it

people need to get a grip. we put our own safety on the line day in day out, we deal with the people you dont want to deal with. a little thanks might be nice? but we dont even ask for that...... but take away our pay check and you'll find britain suddenly having a major shortage of police officers. then, those of you who criticise the police, will be very upset there is no one on the end of a 999 call when you need them.

sorry if i got a bit stressed then. tough day at work...

Answer 2

You are right, the police in Britain CANNOT strike.
And yes, the police are yet to get the pay rise. I do not understand the full legalities but it seems to me some jobsworth in the government failed to sign the documentation and now they are dragging their feet.
It is disgusting when you think of the work the police do and all the critism that is levied at hard working, stressed out officers that the government cannot get even the basic pay requiriements right. The government and this country may find that the longer this goes on for, then police will be leaving the job in their droves. So many privileges (like rent allowance) have already been took away from the police that it is getting harder to meet living costs.

Answer 3

Hey! We might not have the right to STRIKE but we do have the right to RESIGN.

If the cost of living STOPS increasing, I am happy to forego my cost of living rise. If it does not, why should my cost of living become MORE expensive and STANDARD of living LOWER?

And guys, whilst I have nothing against PCSO's, recruitment for police officers for many of the forces in the UK has been halted. There is a massive recruitment drive for PCSO's. Currently they have limited powers - so a possible scenario in the future is that ALL police officers will be in police stations completing mountains of PAPERWORK and only been seen out on the streets at the request of the PCSOs to nick someone for them! How safe will the public feel then?

It is a massive cost cutting exercise and if I do not get my 3% cost of living rise, I will most certainly be looking for alternative employment - and I WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO STRIKE!

Answer 4

The police arent the only workers in the public sector to have to fight for a 3% pay rise.

Its awful that anybody should be refused the right to join a union. It should be a basic right of anyone who works.

I dont understand how this country doesnt put more money into health care, education and policing. They are the foundations of society and without them we would be totally screwed!

This doesnt really answer your question but I thought I'd have a rant anyway!

x

Answer 5

The police don't hardly get paid here in the US, I didn't realize that it is a universal problem. They risk their lives physically, mentally, and emotionally on a daily basis. They should not have to beg for a raise.

I believe the police are taken advantage of. What do you think can be done about it?

Answer 6

I worked as a secretary for the Police Department and the Drug Task Force of my county. I feel that they are the most underpaid for their jobs of anyone. That is one reason I feel there is corruption among policemen, they are exposed to the element that can offer them a quick fix for their money problems. And it's all politics. Driving cars with too many miles, risking their lives to keep us safe, having to be out in rain, sleet, snow and not to mention hurricanes. You have my sympathy

Answer 7

The answer is yes. Like nurses and other public service workers. We only get what we pay for in life and Blair knows he has them tied into no strike agreements. Blair and his cronies got wage rises and massive pension contribution paid by us. So if your a waste of time and an utter Toss*r you get it every time.

Answer 8

They are not paid enough in my opinion... but then again, rather than a strike, how about a mass resignation? Now that would be amusing!

Answer 9

What police......Have you ever seen one out of his car?
I reckon they should be paid by results but lose money for nicking motorists!

Answer 10

Wrong under European human rights laws anyone can withdraw labour.