The Police Federation is calling for urgent talks with new Home Secretary Suella Braverman to discuss the financial and work pressures on its 139,000 members across England and Wales.
In a letter to Ms Braverman, the Federation congratulated her on her appointment but made it clear it was unacceptable that police officers have seen a 25 per cent real term pay cut over the last 12 years.
A letter has also been sent to new Prime Minister Liz Truss, drawing attention to the serious concerns over police pay and working conditions and pointing out that this year’s pay award, which came after the pay freeze of 2021, will barely be sufficient to meet heightened energy costs this winter.
Cambridgeshire branch chair Liz Groom said policing wanted to re-set its strained relationship with the Government after years of feeling undervalued.
She said: “All we have ever wanted is for our members to be respected, recognised for the courage they show when they place their lives and health on the line to protect the public and properly rewarded for the incredibly challenging jobs they do.
“Unfortunately, that has not always been the case with previous administrations and it is no secret that the relationship between policing and the Government has broken down as a result.
“Hopefully, the new Prime Minister and her Home Secretary will appreciate the importance of maintaining good relations with the men and women who play such a unique and vital role within society and will start to address some of the issues which have created such tension.
“Cambridgeshire Police Federation congratulates Ms Truss and Ms Braverman on their appointments and looks forward to forging a close working relationship with them.”
The Federation has also written to the Chancellor while the Home Secretary has sent an open letter to police leaders.