A ‘thank you’ payment is the least our police officers deserve for their selfless, tireless work and for putting aside fears for their own safety.”
These were the words of Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom after the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) called for officers to be awarded a one-off reward payment for the risks they have taken to protect the public during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The request is part of this year’s annual PFEW and Superintendents’ Association submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB). A three per cent pay rise for officers is also being sought.
Liz said: “Police officers have worked selflessly and tirelessly to keep communities safe throughout this pandemic, which is ongoing. They have been on the frontline and put not only their own health at risk but also that of their families. A financial ‘thank you’ would be a welcome nice gesture.”
PFEW national secretary, Alex Duncan, said he was aware that requesting an increase in officer pay after the public sector pay freeze announcement last year may seem futile but explained: “Police officers have been at the forefront of this pandemic and continue to put themselves and their families at risk, working long hours every day to keep the public safe during these unprecedented times.”
The Federation questions the Government’s pay freeze decision when the Spending Review awarded forces sufficient budgets for officers to be recognised for their work during the pandemic.
Alex added: “The Home Secretary states in the remit letter that the Government only took that decision in extraordinary circumstances but this is the fifth out of seven PRRB rounds that vital evidence has been completely disregarded.
“Vital work goes into informing submissions made to the PRRB and it is disheartening to see this being ignored time and time again. You cannot blame us for questioning whether this process is effective.”
The Federation will seek the three per cent pay rise for all officers and a ‘thank you’ payment on the basis that an uplift is feasible and that the private sector has rewarded key workers with a similar payment.
Liz added: “The last 10 months have been incredibly tough for everyone but particularly for police officers. They have continued to fight crime while working to keep communities safe and being attacked themselves. An acknowledgement of that is the least they deserve.”