NEWS


HISTORICAL LOOK BACK


LOOKING BACK ON THE POLICE STRIKE OF 1918


In July this year, we withdrew our support for the Police Remuneration Review Body following years of pay freezes and a distinct lack of recognition of the hard work that our police ofcers do. Morale is low, salaries even lower and something needs to change. Looking back, this is not too dissimilar to events seen more than 100 years ago in 1918. Is history repeating itself?


F


ollowing the end of the First World War, the Metropolitan and City of London Police undertook an event


that changed policing in this country irrevocably. The war had taken its toll on everyone, even the police service. The colossal amounts of over-time went unpaid and all annual leave was cancelled – leaving officers in turmoil and feeling dejected. Experienced police constables in


London were earning less than unskilled labourers and, at a time of real financial hardship, they were doing their best to keep crime to a minimum – a feat that sounds very familiar more than a century later. Despite the upheaval, the morale-


sapping environment, and the dismissals of 23 members of The National Union of Police and Prison Officers, officers remained dedicated and on duty. That is until the sacking of PC Tommy Thiel created a tipping point from which there was no turning back. A committed union man, he epitomised the spirit of officers in 1918 by waging a campaign calling for financial improvements for officers, but


diligently serving the country during its time of need. The sacking of PC Thiel led to a chain of events that reshaped the police force and led officers on a lengthy road to a new form of staff association – the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) as we know it. Strikes


“Experienced police constables in London were earning less than unskilled labourers.”


began across London, starting in Kings Cross Road. Officers began marching towards Whitehall, demanding PC Theil’s immediate reinstatement. As news of the events spread, so did the number of striking officers. In addition to PC Thiel’s


reinstatement, officers were asking “that the present War Bonus of 12 shillings weekly be immediately increased to £1 per week to all ranks of the London Metropolitan Police Force and to be forthwith converted into permanent wages and to be made pensionable. Further, that a War Bonus, calculated on a basis of 12.5 per cent on all wages and allowances, be granted”. As more and


more officers joined their colleagues and walked out, steps were taken by the Home Office


10 I POLICE I OCTOBER 2021 Prime Minister, David Lloyd George


to take control of the situation. By Friday 30 August, more than 11,000 officers had walked out. By Saturday, the Government


was ready to bow to demands on pay, reinstate PC Thiel, pay police pensions to widows and give recognition of the right to confer. The Prime Minister still refused to recognise the union but conceded there should be an authorised organisation and that there needed to be further consultation on this. The Police Act of 1919 was created


to see the end of the National Union of Police and Prison Officers and to introduce the Police Federation in its place. The act also made it illegal for police and prison officers to belong to, or affiliate to, a trade union. Pay was eventually increased in 1919


by 13 shillings per week, with constables starting at 43 shillings increasing to 53 shillings after 20 years. The War Bonus was also maintained and a non- contributory widow’s pension of 10 shillings a week was introduced. Executive members of The National


Union of Police and Prison Officers had achieved real change. Policemen – and officers in the future – were now better off and their families would be looked after should they make the ultimate sacrifice. The executive had inspired thousands to stand up to a Government which had initially refused to listen. And more than 100 years later, we


are once again battling for Government to listen to our pleas and pay our police fairly. Our police officers deserve a fit-for- purpose pay mechanism in which they can have full faith. They deserve respect, they deserve recognition, they deserve fair pay.


We are doing all we can to achieve this.


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