Northants Police decision on ‘half hour for the King’ welcome, now other forces must act too, says PFEW
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has applauded Northamptonshire Police’s decision to change how it applies the so-called ‘half hour for the King’ – the long-standing expectation that officers would routinely give extra time at the end of their shifts.
In reality, officers have been paid for this half hour since 1994, when the Federation successfully challenged its non-payment. A buy-out was agreed, worth around £450 per year, pensionable, for all constables and sergeants.
What has changed in Northants is recognition that demand is now so consistently high that officers should plan for extended shifts. That means the time counts as planned overtime – and is paid in addition to the allowance.
This is more than a technical adjustment and it is not unique to Northamptonshire. It reflects a harsh truth: pressures that might once have been a rare surge are now everyday burdens, and they risk breaking officers.
PFEW National Secretary John Partington said: “Northants Police have done the right thing by recognising that relentless demand cannot just be absorbed and that officers must be properly compensated and the sacrifice of their time recognised.
“We accept the strong case that government needs to fund policing properly, but if Northants can do it, every other force can too.”
Northamptonshire Police Federation chair Sam Dobbs said: “Police officers serve with pride, dedication and bravery but they cannot be expected to shoulder today’s relentless demand without proper recognition.
Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet’s decision ensures that when officers work beyond their shifts, that time is properly treated as planned overtime.
“It’s a fairer approach that values officers’ time and wellbeing, and it sends a clear message: the pressures breaking policing must be acknowledged and addressed. We’ve lobbied on this issue for some time and now it’s time for every force to follow Northamptonshire’s lead.”