Retired cops urged to re-join South Yorkshire Police as figures show nearly 600 left force over last five years

Retired police officers are being urged to consider re-joining South Yorkshire Police during the coronavirus outbreak as new figures show nearly 600 left the force over the last five years.
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South Yorkshire Police announced yesterday that it calling on retired officers and staff members to return to the force to boost numbers and ‘add extra resilience’ during the global pandemic.

Home Office figures show that 575 officers retired from South Yorkshire Police between 2014 and 2019.

575 police officers retired from South Yorkshire Police between 2014 and 2019.575 police officers retired from South Yorkshire Police between 2014 and 2019.
575 police officers retired from South Yorkshire Police between 2014 and 2019.
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Calling on retirees to make a temporary return to his force, South Yorkshire Chief Constable Styephen Watson said: “We are currently living in exceptional times: there has not been a period in recent history when the contribution of our emergency services has been so critical for communities across South Yorkshire and the rest of the country.

“We are well prepared and equipped to deal with this pandemic. Our officers will remain on the front line and we will be here for the people in South Yorkshire who need us. In these unprecedented times, however, we are also calling upon those who have left us to consider returning to duties to provide a tremendous public service.

“The skillsets of these former colleagues will be invaluable as we get on with the job in front of us.”

The Home Office has offered a support package, including relaxing tax and pension rules, to help boost police numbers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Letters are being sent out directly to officers and staff who have retired within the last two years, and those on a career break.