Time for Government to act on police pay

THE Government should look after police officers by awarding them the 2.8% pay rise put forward to the Police Remuneration Review Body.

Essex Police Federation Secretary Phil Suarez said it is not right that officers’ pay has dropped in real terms, and called on the region’s MPs to use their influence in Government to ensure police are not given a 1% pay rise in line with the public sector pay cap.

Phil said: “Through the research team and national leadership at Leatherhead, they put together a very robust, evidenced submission to the pay review body, clearly stating that police officers deserve a pay rise. It’s evidenced that it should be above the 1% cap that the Government are trying to stick to at the moment.

“Speaking on my own behalf really, in so much as if you look at my pay now compared to four years ago I probably take home less money, with national insurance rises, inflation, pension increases. That can’t really be right.

“We serve because we want to do the best for the people of Essex, but you have to have some sort of fair package around that.

“I would urge the Government, with all that’s going on, with the terrorist threat, look after your police officers, as they need to be looked after.

“I think we presented the evidence and fought the case that we should have a reasonable pay rise this year.

“Yes, there’s been a bit of a delay which is a little unfortunate, but again, I think we all appreciate and understand that there is an awful lot going on at the moment, what with Brexit and all the rest of it, so let’s just hope that the delay is worth it and we get the result that we’re looking for.”

Essex Police Federation Chairman Steve Taylor has already met a lot of the county’s MPs, and the Federation hopes they will use their influence in Government on police pay.

Phil added: “Steve had a lot of engagement with our local MPs, I’m sure he reached out to them to support the police.

“I think if they can have a quiet word with ministerial colleagues and have the ear of somebody in Government, as long as they support their local police and are obviously passing on the right message, then hopefully they can have some influence as well, and ensure a good deal for our members.

“Clearly they have an important part to play, and I’m sure what we need to do is continue to get our message out, not just to Government but to our local people as well.”