One in 10 Hampshire police officers 'wants to quit', survey shows

ONE in 10 Hampshire police officers wants to quit their job, according to the Police Federation of England and Wales.

A pay and morale survey by the organisation, which represents the constabulary's rank and file, found 78% of officers said morale in the force is "low" or "very low".

Some 12% said they intend to resign from the Hampshire force "within the next two years" or "as soon as they can", according to the survey.

Figures showed 84 % of officers feel worse off financially now compared to five years ago, and 18% "never or almost never have enough money to cover all their essentials".

Of the 839 officers surveyed, 98% said their cost of living has increased in the last month, with food and fuel costs rising the fastest, and 78% were "dissatisfied with their overall remuneration".

Hampshire Police Federation chair Zoe Wakefield said: “Sadly we are not surprised or shocked by the results of this survey. We are very aware of how much our members are struggling financially, physically and psychologically.

“The government cannot continue to underfund police forces, disrespect officers at every opportunity and not pay police officers what they deserve. Policing is a difficult and stressful job which many could not do.

“Those who become police officers to make a difference and help those in need do not deserve to be treated this way."

A federation spokesperson said that over the past 12 years police officer pay has fallen in real terms by 25%.

Hampshire police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said: “As commissioner, I will continue to lobby the government on police pay so that the men and women who joined the force to keep people safe are rightly acknowledged for the unique and significant role they play in public protection.

She said "dedicated and hard working" officers were regularly picking up the duties of other emergency services and dealing with those in a mental health crisis.

"This has a major impact upon their ability to deliver the basics which inspired them to join the police in the first place. I am not surprised they feel so frustrated."

The survey also found 92% of officers "do not feel respected by the government" with three in five saying they would not recommend joining the police.

Some 21% of officers had suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention in the line of duty in the last year.