Clearer regulations and more transparency on chief police pay packages needed

National Police Chiefs’ Council Vice Chair, Chief Constable Peter Vaughan and Chief Police Officers Staff Association Chair, Chief Constable Mark Polin said:

“The Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA) has been talking to the Home Office, the police Pay Advisory Board and Senior Salaries Review Body about the need for clearer regulations on pay packages for chief officers, particularly on annual leave and allowances, for some time.  It is in the interests of the taxpaying public and chief officers navigating the system that the rules are clear, consistent and fair with checks and balances by locally accountable Police and Crime Commissioners.

“Regulation concerning annual leave gives rise to differing interpretations and recording practices and we continue to advocate clarity on this issue.  In other respects, such as travel and the recovery of reasonable relocation expenses, the entitlements are clearly set out in the regulations but transparency about how they are claimed is essential.  We support the Home Secretary’s call for all forces to make their chief officer pay packages available publicly on their force websites, as many already do.

“There is a concern - shared by CPOSA, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Home Office and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary - that the number of applicants for top positions in the service is declining.  Any system must strike the right balance between fair reward and value for taxpayers, allowing us to attract and retain talent across the country.”