Police pay: “No-one should be worse off, but there is an argument for some people being better off”

FRONTLINE officers should be paid a wage that reflects the demanding and dangerous nature of their role, Essex Police Federation has said.

Steve Taylor, talking as chiefs began a consultation on performance-related pay, warned that proposed changes could be “extremely divisive”, and said “while no-one should be worse off, there is an argument for some people being better off.”

Steve said: “This is a really delicate issue that requires a lot of thought. On the face of it, is it right that officers doing wildly different jobs within the police service, at the same rank, get paid the same? I think it’s fair to say, by and large, we’re moving away from that position as being fair. But what is it replaced with, is the question.”

He advocated for a strong division between entitlements and pay and conditions, adding that entitlements like the South East allowance should not be confused with pay and conditions.

He said: “It is a very broad subject. It is very sensitive and very controversial and needs to be dealt with very carefully. But it’s a conversation we do need to have. I’d like to see officers getting paid more money and I’d like to see officers at the riskier end of what we do getting paid more for that risk.

“But it is important to note that no-one deserves a pay cut.”

Chief Constables have announced plans for performance-related pay for officers based on their ‘capability’ and ‘productivity’. As part of a three-month consultation period, proposals are being considered to introduce four pay-stages; Training, Foundation, Competent, Advanced. However, fears have been voiced that these moves will lead to officers chasing targets.

A three-month consultation period on the Chief’s proposals will start in October before any new pay structure plan is put forward by the National Police Chiefs’ Council to the Police Remuneration Review Body.