THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire Police has voiced his support for calls for a government funded pay rise for all police officers.
It follows a decision by the Government to follow the recommendations of the Police Remuneration Pay Body, freezing police officer pay for all but those officers with salaries of less than £24,000 in 2021/22.
A letter urging a rethink of that decision and asking for central funding for a pay increase has been sent to the Home Secretary on behalf of PCCs, including Mr Seccombe, by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.
Last week the government signalled a three per cent pay rise for nurses and senior doctors, however part of that will come out of the NHS budget.
Mr Seccombe said: “Here in Warwickshire and across the country police officers have tirelessly continued to keep people safe and protect them from harm throughout the pandemic.
“They have been an ever-present on the streets, despite the additional personal risks that Covid-19 has brought.
“Behind the scenes, police staff too have made a huge contribution, ensuring that our call centres and control rooms continue to function and that frontline policing has the services and support it needs to continue to protect the public. They have done this magnificently, overcoming the many challenges this national emergency has provoked.
“In these circumstances, I believe a pay increase would be warranted and would receive support from the public, provided that such an increase was properly funded and not left to local Council Tax payers to pick up the tab.
“I think it is now time for the Government to recognise the outstanding circumstances which have led to this request and I hope they engage constructively with police and crime commissioners to make this a reality.”
