Agreement reached on police reform agenda for pay and conditions

52/02
09 May 2002

A watershed agreement on police pay and conditions was reached today between the Police Negotiating Board, which includes police authority members, and the Police Federation.

Rachel Whittaker, Metropolitan Police Authority Member and a representative on the Police Negotiating Board said: 

"The police service of the 21st century needs the flexibility and creativity which this deal will provide. This agreement marks a radical change in the way police officers are paid and managed, and gives the Met police service the opportunity to move forward."

This far reaching package includes a substantial investment in police pay and will see all officers of federated rank are better off. 

Features include the flexibility to award bonus payments for outstanding work, a competency related threshold payment scheme and a reduction in the length of the federated rank pay scale from 14 years to ten. It also provides for innovative schemes such as the 'Special Priority Post ' which will give police services local flexibility to target additional rewards towards the most deserving officers at the sharp end of their profession. 

Commenting on the Special Priority Post scheme, Rachel Whittaker added :

"This is one of the most innovative elements of the package but tough decisions will have to be taken in devising schemes locally. The MPA will work hard with the Commissioner to ensure this part of the deal is effective, implemented fairly and in a way that is understood and agreed by all parties."

Another key element of the deal is the agreement by police authorities, police managers and staff associations for co-ordinated action to cut down on unnecessary overtime. The Government target is a 15% reduction over a three year period but police authorities, in consultation with their chief officers, will set local targets. Duty rosters will no longer be agreed one year in advance but will be drawn up to cover three months, thereby ensuring rest days are cancelled less frequently through unforseen demands. Similarly, the trigger for the higher premium for rostered rest day working will be reduced from eight days to five days.

Rachel Whittaker concluded:

"We are looking at several measures to make the Met more family friendly. Although the Met is the biggest user of overtime we have already started to budget for overtime reductions. We recognise overtime is an essential tool to meet unforseen circumstances but we need to make sure that any overtime worked is necessary.

"We shall also be looking to improve part time working arrangements including the end of the 16 hour week minimum, and drawing up new arrangements for the management of ill health. We want to improve the work- life balance for everyone who works for us. We shall consult on how best to implement these agreements for the benefit of policing in London. "

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback