Doncaster police boss urges government to rethink the pay freeze that will negatively impact his staff

The South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner does not agree with the pay freeze that will affect all police staff.
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Dr Alan Billings wants the government to reconsider the pay freeze that has recently been announced.

He said: “I recently made it clear that, in my view, the decision by the Home Secretary to freeze the pay of police officers was a poor reward for all they had done over the last year and a half to keep us safe during some of the worst months of the pandemic.

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“That was a view shared almost universally by police and crime commissioners.

Dr Alan Billings.Dr Alan Billings.
Dr Alan Billings.

“As a result of that decision, the employers of police staff (Home, Office, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, National Police Chiefs Council) have felt unable to do anything other than offer the same freeze to staff.

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“This does not feel like a genuine negotiation and with inflation now at 3.9 per cent it represents a real terms cut in pay.

“It also contrasts starkly with what others have been offered - Fire and rescue workers 1.5 per cent and NHS employees three per cent.

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“We undervalue the work of police staff whose work is largely unseen.

“But like the engine room of a ship, without their work the vessel cannot move.

“I urge the government to think again: to reward officers and allow a proper negotiation for staff.”

Dr Alan Billings was invited to speak with the Prime Minister with 40 of the country's police and crime commissioners on July 29.

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De Billings said: “I was able to speak to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, and the Policing Minister, Kit Malthouse, directly about two matters.

“The PM said he wanted to make it easier for the police to use stop and search powers.

“I told him that I thought we had the balance about right in South Yorkshire.

“Communities are supportive as long as it is done proportionally and fairly and I have an Independent Ethics Panel who monitor that.

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“We believe that if positive results are not happening in 20 per cent or more of stops, then the community’s confidence will fall.

“I also said I supported the levelling up agenda.

“If areas were going to be regenerated we had to get crime and anti-social behaviour down.

“But if we are to help young people stay out of the clutches of the drug gangs, we have to restore youth services.

“That was not a policing matter, though I give help to clubs when I can.

“It requires the government to help local authorities to restore what has been lost over the past ten years.

“The PM listened but made no promises.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.