- Conference
- 2024 Police, Probation and CAFCASS Conference
- Date
- 7 June 2024
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
The way that this funding is calculated determines how much each police force receives, which in turn will determines how many police staff each force can afford to employ.
In order for each force to meet its policing need, the funding model needs to be sufficient enough to provide each area with an acceptable level of resources. This formula must be fair and equitable; however, this is not the case with the current formula.
Several forces have received settlements well below what is required to maintain effective services and it is our members who are paying the price of this inequity. This is manifesting in rigorous vacancy management where posts are being deleted from the establishment and police officers put into police staff roles which is reducing operational capability and removing police officers from the streets. PCSO numbers are also being reduced taking much needed policing presence off our streets.
At a time when the public are crying out for more visible policing, this unfair formula is having the opposite effect. It makes a mockery of the uplift programme and see our members careers and livelihoods squarely in the firing line.
Conference calls upon the Service Group Executive to:
1)Survey Police Forces and PCCs on how the formula affects them with the aim to gain an understanding on how fair and proportionate the funding is.
2 Use the information from the survey to raise awareness of the impact and importance of this funding and how it will affect Police Staff members in each force.
3. Campaign for fair funding for all police forces in England and Wales calling for a fair and proportionate settlement.
4. Contact all Police and Crime Commissioners seeking their view on the funding formula and how the funding formula has affected their plans for Police Staff within their force.
5. Use the ‘We are Police Staff’ campaign to support these proposals.
6. Seek support from Labour Link in raising our concerns within Labour and support for the campaign.