Almost one in six GMP officers plan to resign from force

A Police Federation survey of a total of 1,446 GMP officers suggests around 22 per cent of them, or almost a quarter, have a wage which is "never" or "almost never" able to cover the cost of living while around 74 per cent of them, or almost three quarters, have a workload which is "high" or "much too high".

As a result of these issues and other issues, like a lack of morale and the level of stress, almost one in six are planning to resign from the force as soon as possible or within two years.

Mike Peake, chair of the GMP Federation, appealed to the government to address what the Police Federation said amounted to a 16 per cent real-terms pay cut in the last 12 years.

He said: "It is time for the government to wake up and smell the roses as they are in danger of creating the biggest 'Police Farce' in the history of this country.

"The results of the Police Federation survey paint a stark picture in the battle against crime and the battle to keep the communities of Greater Manchester safe."

On September 1 of last year the Home Office awarded a consolidated pay increase of seven per cent to officers of all ranks in line with the recommendations of the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB).

According to the Police Federation survey an increase in the cost of living is leading 86 per cent of GMP officers to feel financially worse off than five years ago.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We recognise the incredible role police officers do up and down the country and, last year, we awarded a consolidated pay increase of seven per cent to officers of all ranks.

"The retention of police officers is a priority for the government and our latest survey of recruits found respondents were satisfied with their job with 72 per cent intending to stay in their role until retirement age."

Meanwhile a GMP spokesperson said: "At Greater Manchester Police we recognise that policing is a challenging and demanding profession that requires a special kind of individual. Every day, our officers put on their uniforms and step out into the community, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.

"We are immensely proud of the dedication, bravery, and resilience displayed by our officers and staff. They are the heart and soul of our organisation, and their wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us. We understand that the nature of their work can take a toll on their mental health and overall wellbeing, and we are committed to providing them with the support they need.

"However, we also acknowledge that there is always work to be done. The decline in emotional energy, high levels of fatigue, and increased intention to quit among officers are concerns that we are actively addressing.

"In addition to a comprehensive health and wellbeing offer, and an enhanced occupational health team, we also provide robust mental health support for both officers and staff, and specialist Trauma Risk Management (TRiM), a welfare led approach for those exposed to potentially traumatic incidents.

"Nationally, Greater Manchester Police's retention and insights team have been recognised for their approach to encouraging both officers and staff to remain in policing, rather than seeking a career elsewhere.

"We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment across our force, where our officers and staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to do their best work. We will continue to listen to their voices, address their concerns, and work tirelessly to ensure that their wellbeing remains at the forefront of our priorities."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.