South Wales Police Federation members have been encouraged to make their voices heard in the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW)’s Pay and Morale Survey 2024.

 

The annual survey was launched by the PFEW this week (Monday 16 September) and acts as an opportunity for police officers to give their views on a range of issues relating to pay, morale and welfare.

 

Participants can expect to be asked about topics including allowances, Force demand and rest days.

 

Findings from the survey are then used to help shape Federation action at both a regional and national level and can also have influence over government policy and academic research into policing

 

Federation chair Phil Walker said: “We know that the survey is one of the most significant events of the policing calendar when it comes to officers having their say.

 

 

“It’s the single biggest way for the PFEW to get a comprehensive picture of how happy and valued its members feel - and that information can then be used to hold the Police Force to account.

 

“I would really urge South Wales Federation members to complete the survey – it’s a chance to be totally honest about how you feel, even if it’s about negative aspects of the job.”

 

The Pay and Morale Survey has become one of the largest methods of police research in England and Wales, and it has been conducted every year since 2014.

 

This year, the PFEW have confirmed the survey will feature three additional questions to previous editions:

 

 

Last year’s survey received 943 responses from South Wales Police, with exactly half of respondents confirming their personal morale was either ‘low’ or ‘very low’, compared to national figures of 58 per cent.

 

Among the reasons given for low morale were pay and benefits, workload and responsibilities and how police are treated by the Government. The proportion of South Wales respondents who said these factors had a negative impact on morale were 80, 64, and 94 per cent respectively – all slightly below national figures.

 

One factor which accounted for a much larger disparity between South Wales and national figures was opportunities for development and promotion, where 30 per cent of South Wales respondents cited this as negatively impacting morale, and 41 per cent of respondents nationally did the same.

 

 

Phil maintained, nevertheless, that these numbers still suggested much room for improvement on a local level.

 

He added: “While it is good that matters related to individual morale appeared slightly more favourably than national averages, the 2023 findings told us there is still a long way to go in that department for our regional police force.

 

“We must always strive for better, and I anticipate this year’s findings will help influence my work as chair and any discussions with Force decision-makers moving forward.”

 

As for pay satisfaction, 93 per cent of South Wales respondents told last year’s survey argued they were not paid fairly for the stresses of their job, with 87 per cent believing they were not paid fairly for the hazards faced within their job.

 

The survey closes on Monday 28 October.

 

Members should have received an email containing a link to the survey. If they have not received the email, please check your junk if it still cannot be found, contact the Federation office.