NEWS ATTRITION RATES THE RISE IN
Almost 10 per cent of new police officers are leaving the job before completing their probation. Data from the National Police Chiefs’ Council has laid the issue bare, illustrating that retaining new recruits is as crucial as improving pay and conditions
SOBERING STATISTICS
The figures revealed the average attrition rate is currently 9.1 per cent, with 2,567 leavers from 28,173 new recruits. These recruits have been recorded from November 2019 and the leavers from April 2020. At the more alarming end of the spectrum,
19.3 per cent of Northamptonshire recruits have exited during probation since the start of the Police Uplift Programme. North Yorkshire recorded 16.8 per cent, followed by Cambridgeshire at 16.1 per cent and Bedfordshire with 15.7 per cent. The Met has seen 528 officers leave before completing probation, which amounts to 7.9 per cent of total recruits to the force. On the lower end of the scale, Cumbria
in attrition rates across forces, it is concerning to see some have reached double figures. From day one, we have said retention is as vital as recruitment. “Our members deserve more investment in mental health and wellbeing, better benefits, and the most appropriate integrated learning that equips them for
survey they are not, or almost never, able to cover their monthly essentials. Almost half said that their wage increased their intention to leave the force.
“Leaders must ensure they do not just focus on getting people through the door, but also do what is needed to keep them, by putting their workforce first, so policing can continue to provide the best service to the public.”
vestment in integrated learning that equips them for the reality of policing”
the reality of policing.
and North Wales each have a rate of 3.9 per cent, while Merseyside and West Midlands have both recorded 5.4 per cent.
RECRUITMENT VS RETENTION A PFEW spokesperson said: “Although the data shows significant variations
10 | POLICE | APRIL 2022
“It is also paramount our police are paid fairly for the stresses and the hazards they face while protecting the public. “The starting salary for many officers in their first year of undertaking a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship is £19,164. This is barely above the current National Living Wage, which is set to increase in April. “Additionally, more than one in 10 police officers told us in our most recent
“Our members deserve more in-
PFEW aired further concerns when Home Office statistics revealed that the Police Uplift Programme was just halfway
towards meeting its target. Furthermore, even if it does reach the numbers pledged, the programme would only bring the service back to pre-austerity levels. Data showed 11,048 officers have been
recruited from funding for the Police Uplift Programme, which contributes towards the target of 20,000 by March 2023. If the 20,000 target is achieved, it would bring officer numbers up to around 148,000, which is only slightly above the number of officers in 2010.
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