PFEW welcomes report’s recommendation for ‘comprehensive strategy’ on officer retention
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has welcomed the Home Affairs Select Committee’s recognition that recruitment alone is not enough and that a meaningful and urgent strategy for retaining experienced police officers is now essential.
It warned that the service is “being propped up by newer recruits while seasoned professionals are walking away”.
The committee’s report into last summer’s disorder following the Southport murders of three young girls said quick fixes were not enough to address the policing lessons from the widespread violent protests (see https://policeprofessional.com/news/quick-fixes-not-enough-to-address-policing-lessons-of-summer-2024-disorder-says-new-report/).
“The disorder placed yet more pressure on an already stretched police workforce,” said the committee’s report.
“Police officers and other staff worked for long hours in extremely difficult circumstances and at significant personal cost. Many suffered injury and other trauma. Those not dealing with disorder directly will also have dealt with an increased workload and resulting fatigue.”
The report recommends that the Government should outline “a comprehensive strategy for police officer retention” alongside its recruitment efforts.
“We commend the efforts of police forces to maintain business-as-usual policing, particularly the importance attached to maintaining neighbourhood policing,” said the committee.
“Nonetheless, the disorder and subsequent investigations have had a knock-on impact on other areas of policing, including neighbourhood policing.
“The Government’s focus on strengthening neighbourhood policing is welcome, as is the flexibility that the Government is allowing forces to recruit to neighbourhood teams. However, it is important that the right mix of staff, including experienced officers, are being brought into neighbourhood policing teams.
“The use of numerical targets for recruitment, at a time when police budgets are under pressure, risks introducing an incentive to hire cheaply.”
The committee says the Government “should develop specific plans for retention to better support the existing workforce and ensure the right mix of staff for future challenges”.
“As it sets out to develop improvements to the national policing system, the Government should be ambitious and not focus on short-terms wins,” it added.
The report recommends that the Government should “benchmark recruitment plans” under the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to ensure that, while flexibility for forces to recruit is maintained, minimum numbers for the recruitment of police officers can be set by the Home Office if required, or more flexibility in funding provided if forces cannot meet their staffing needs through the Guarantee.
In addition, the committee says the Government should release funding to cover additional costs incurred by forces during the disorder “as soon as possible” so as not to impact on ongoing police work”.
The PFEW said the committee’s recommendation on officer retention echoed its own concerns.
“Despite headline recruitment figures, policing continues to haemorrhage experienced officers,” it said. “The service is being propped up by newer recruits while seasoned professionals are walking away, often disillusioned, exhausted and feeling undervalued. This is not sustainable.”
The PFEW said officers need to be treated better – with fair pay, manageable workloads and proper support for their wellbeing and morale – to keep them in the job.
It added: “Any credible retention strategy must be developed with the direct involvement of PFEW. As the voice of over 145,000 rank-and-file officers, we are uniquely placed to represent the realities of life on the frontline. Our members are exemplary, committed to protecting communities despite immense pressures.”
PFEW acting deputy national chair Brian Booth said: “We cannot simply recruit our way out of a retention crisis. The Government must listen to those on the ground and act urgently to keep experienced officers in the job.
“Our members deserve better, and the public deserves a service that is stable, supported and sustainable. The heroism and professionalism shown by officers during the summer disorder was exemplary, and they should be recognised and supported accordingly.”
The PFEW said it is ready to engage – but expects to be heard, and expects action.