Essex police officers worry about finances almost every day

NEARLY half of all Essex police officers say they worry about their finances every day a new survey has revealed.

The shocking statistics from the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) 2018 Pay and Morale Survey showed that 49% of Essex officers are concerned enough about their financial situation to think about it ‘every day or every other day.’

The majority (71%) say they are dissatisfied with their overall remuneration (including basic pay and allowances) 75% say they feel worse off financially than five years ago, while 52% used the survey to say their morale was low.

Nearly 90% of respondents said they felt morale was low force wide.

The figures come on the back of a police pay rise of 2%, although in real terms that is nearer 1%  as last year’s award consisted of a 1% one-off bonus.

The figures from Essex largely matched views across England and Wales where 89% of officers said they do not feel fairly compensated for what they do.

“It’s pretty grim reading,” said John Apter, PFEW Chair.

“Unfortunately, it’s not altogether surprising. Our members are clearly suffering from even worse financial pressures than last year and some are appearing to be in dire straits.

“Officers are under enormous pressure to deliver, with dwindling resources and rising crime, particularly violent crime, leading to a demand for our services that has never been higher.

“We know officers are struggling and some have had to resort to food vouchers.

“It is clearly unacceptable that they cannot make ends meet or even put food on their families’ tables,” he added.

The findings will be put forward by the PFEW as part of their annual submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body.

To view the Essex report visit; http://polfed.org/documents/Essex%20Pay%20and%20Morale%20Force%20Report%20-%2020-07-18%20-%20v.1.pdf