Derbyshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has hit out at the police
pay awards announced yesterday, saying they don't give police
officers any financial certainty going forwards and leave him
unable to make long term plans.
Speaking earlier today he said: "Police officers, and
indeed police staff and PCSOs, deserve a pay increase, preferably
one that keeps pace with inflation, but this one-off bonus for
police officers is a token gesture that comes out of our existing
budget. We wait to hear what the plans are for police
staff.
"I wholeheartedly support an increase in pay for our
hard-working officers and staff, but paying for it will have to
come from essential reserves that we already have earmarked to
meet future commitments. The police service is already critically
wounded in financial terms which makes an additional, unbudgeted
pressure mid-way through the financial year a harsh body
blow.
"We have made it clear that our financial sustainability is
under threat and that any additional budgetary pressures will
inevitably lead to fewer officers. I'm concerned that
neighbourhood policing could become a nostalgic memory. I know
this is not what our public expect or deserve.
"This one-off police bonus has merely led to more
uncertainty. Officers want to know what their pay packets will
look like in two or three years' time and I need to know how much
that is going to cost me.
"As yet, there are more questions than answers, and I am
calling on the Government to give us some clarity on the
situation very quickly. More to the point, I would like assurance
that we will receive a funding settlement that recognises the
overall inflationary pressures and increasing demand on police
services."
