DPF Briefing

January 2002

Police Reform - Pay & Conditions

Members will be aware that an outline agreement has been reached by the Official and Staff Sides of the Police Negotiating Board. This package is however subject to ratification by each Side following consultation with its membership, and sufficient new money being made available to all local police authorities to cover the net costs of the deal.

The HDPF’s are to survey their membership and this will include setting up polling booths at police stations across the country in a bid to gauge officers’ opinions on the overall package. The PF has invited MORI to independently oversee the whole process.

For more detailed information about the package please read DPF Circular 03/02 which has been sent to Branches under separate cover.

Clearly there are several aspects of the package relating to pay and conditions which if accepted would impact on MDP conditions of service given that basic pensionable pay, overtime and certain other terms and conditions are aligned to the HDP. For example, shortening of the incremental pay scales; all federated ranks to receive an extra £400; special priority payments of up to £5000 for demanding or outstanding work plus access to a competence-related threshold payment of £1,002 a year. Reduced overtime payments, rationalization of some allowances and simplifying the system of police regulations are also part of the deal on offer.

HDPF negotiators are due to meet with the Official Side on 25 February. Any changes to terms and conditions would be phased in over a two year period commencing in April 2003.

We have already had some preliminary discussions with CM(MDP) as regards possible implications for MDP, however, it is agreed that we await the outcome of the PNB meeting in February before proceeding further.