More officers using foodbanks and seeking financial help

SOME police officers are having to use food banks and even more are seeking financial help, says Essex Police Federation.

Laura Heggie, Chair of Essex Police Federation, said: “It’s been recognised that as a force we have some real issues. I know people were shocked when I talked about Essex Police officers going to food banks, and they thought that wasn’t true. It is true. We’ve got officers that, on pay day, are already into their overdraft because of the cost of living.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done. Yes, the £500 extra South East Allowance is a bonus, but that’s not even going to cover the extra costs we’ll have next year, let alone those people that are already in debt.”

She continued: “I always ask a new intake of officers, ‘How many of you have taken a pay cut to come into this organisation?’, and over half of the class put their hand up, that’s normal So you need to look at what is the incentive for people to join the police, especially if you’ve got dependents and a mortgage, some people can’t afford to join this job.

“For those who are coming on board, especially when they know the financial impact, full credit to them. We need to be supporting them in every way we can. The force’s welfare department has launched its wellbeing hub, and throughout the year there’ll be virtual wellbeing sessions that officers join.

“And the Federation will always signpost officers to where they can get help, these are also on our website www.polfed.org/essex. We’ve teamed up with Copper Pot with their Coffee, Cake and Copperpot imitative and we’re going around a number of police stations in March so that Copper Pot can be available to officers to talk through any financial needs that they may be able to assist with.

“I want to make sure that officers are fully aware of the services that the Federation offers. They are really valuable, especially group insurance, so that if they get injured while they’re at work or if they’re off work for any reason, especially if they’re off sick for more than six months, the insurance kicks in. It helps people pay their mortgages.

“I’m also urging officers to check their beneficiaries are up to date, so they know what finance is coming from where should they need to draw on it, the life insurance can also be used to support mortgage applications saving taking an additional policy at cost.”

Laura also sits on the Essex Police Benevolent Fund, which officers can apply for when they find themselves in difficulty, often when their circumstances have changed. She said: “Those applications are coming through far more frequently now. It shows how much people are trying to reach out for assistance, which shouldn’t be happening. Not in this day and age.”