A 4.2% government-backed salary increase for police officers in England and Wales “barely trades water”, the association says the association representing front-line officials.
The police federation said that the salary increase would not be able to stop the price of “a large Mac per shift per shift” and “record levels of resignation, record mental health absence or record number of officers” would not stop.
The organization, which represents more than 145,000 officers, said it will now ask its members if they accept or reject the award.
The Home Secretary said that the growth, which is slightly above the current rate of inflation of 4.1% and is recommended by an independent review body, was “a clear sign of our gratitude”.
This amount is above 2.8% proposed by ministers in December, for which police forces made a budget.
This would mean that the initial salary for police constables will increase from £ 1,256 to £ 31,164. Specific salary for a constable that is in post for six years, will be £ 50,256 and the average salary for one Chief Superintendent will be £ 98,500.
In addition, on-calls, away from home and difficulty allowance will be increased to £ 10 and London waiting will also increase 4.2%.
Home Secretary Yett Cooper said: “Our brave police officers work day by day, often make heavy sacrifices to keep us safe.”
He said: “We are committed to officers who invest and support in the front line who work to deal with crime every day, protect our roads and protect our communities.”
The government said that the pay prize will be “supported by the home office to help protect the budget of the police force.”
The police federation said that the prize was not enough when it welcomed the decision of police chief constables to reject major constables for an increase by 3.8%.
Deputy National Chair Bryan Booth said: “After a cut in payment of real terms of more than a decade, the award is very low to reverse the long -term fall in the standard of living of the officers or address the crisis police faces.”
Stuart Cowan, president of the British Transport Police Federation, said 4.2% “Just enough is nowhere”.
He said: “The authorities who are defeated and extending to their physical and psychological boundaries are much higher than the salary increase.”
But the Council of National Police Heads (NPCC) said that an increase of 4.2% was above inflation and “it is necessary that we draw and maintain the best people through competitive salary”.
NPCC lead for pay and conditions, AST CH officer Philip Wales, said the salary prize is “what we believe that our officials are worthy and reflect the nature of the work that they are required to protect our streets”.
He said that it was “significantly important that the additional cost for salary is completely funded if we are able to maintain services and are able to continue investing in areas such as neighborhood policing and technology”.
