POLICE officers could be losing out on hundreds of pounds a year because they are not claiming overtime, federation representatives have said.<\/p>\n
Many officers are working for free because they know there is insufficient cash to pay them extra, while others are too scared to speak out against abuse by their superiors, it has been claimed.<\/p>\n
At the Met, the largest force in the UK, tens of thousands of hours of overtime payments due to officers who have stayed late after their shifts have not been made.<\/p>\n
Beyond the first 30 minutes of unplanned overtime, officers are entitled to time and a third. But many are too scared to claim it, according to Dennis Weeks, deputy secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who has described a \u201cculture of fear\u201d at his force.<\/p>\n
Half of officers at the Met report having not claimed overtime due to them.<\/p>\n
Mr Weeks said: \u201cOfficers feel that in the long run they would be treated poorly if they say \u2018no\u2019 [to working extra hours without payment] \u2013 that they will be given difficult or harsh postings if they challenge or question things.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he added that officers are also working for free out a spirit of goodwill.<\/p>\n
Mr Weeks said this was the case at the Met, but added: \u201cBut this goodwill should not put an officer in a detrimental situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Metropolitan Police Federation has launched a campaign urging officers to know the Police Regulations and stick to them, to protect them from fatigue.<\/p>\n
And officers from other forces have revealed that their goodwill is running thin, and their days of working for free are numbered.<\/p>\n
A sergeant from Surrey Police said: \u201cI\u2019ve lost count of how many hours I\u2019ve done for free over the years. It all comes down to being professional and committed. Sadly that will has now gone and I claim for everything I\u2019m entitled to. Goodwill pays no bills.\u201d<\/p>\n
And a constable from West Midlands Police, added: \u201cI don\u2019t get in early anymore. I get there when I need to and get ready in work\u2019s time \u2013 not mine. I never used to be like that, but we\u2019re pushed so much now that\u2019s what it has resorted to. I stay up to date on regulations and stick to them. I\u2019m hard working and do my best, I just don\u2019t do it in my own time or without payment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will Riches, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales\u2019 Central Constables Committee warned that people in specialist roles and CID are experiencing the most pressure.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cPolice officers continue to bend over backwards to make it work because that is the way they are. But there is a real question mark over resilience \u2013 people will give and give but there has to come a point where there is no more to give.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark Smith, chairman of Essex Police Federation, said: \u201cIn Essex, there are a lot of officers who do not take overtime anymore because they are so worn out \u2013 they need their rest days. The force can even struggle to find people to work Bank Holidays \u2013 they don\u2019t want to work their overtime.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement, Thames Valley Deputy Chief Constable Francis Habgood, ACPO lead for reward and recognition, said: \u201cThe financial pressures facing forces has meant that overtime budgets have been reduced and the scrutiny around the authorisation process has inevitably tightened. However, that does not mean that officers should not be recompensed in line with Police Regulations for the overtime that they work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are genuine concerns about the application of Police Regulations, then I would encourage staff associations to raise these at a local level through regular meetings with chief officer teams, such as Joint Negotiating and Consultative Committees.\u201d<\/p>\n
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