Force’s shift move to boost morale

Force move ‘will provide better service’

A Yorkshire force is making changes to its shift patterns in a bid to improve morale after a national survey revealed that officers are feeling increasingly undervalued.

Humberside Police revealed the plans after the Police Federation said its members were increasingly demoralised.

A YORKSHIRE police force is making changes to its shift patterns in a bid to improve morale after a national survey revealed that officers are feeling increasingly undervalued.

Humberside Police revealed details of its plans after the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, said its members are becoming increasingly demoralised, with the way police are treated being the biggest contributor.

While 60.2 per cent of officers said their personal morale was low – nearly five per cent more than last year – there was also an increase in the number planning to leave the service either as soon as possible or within the next two years.

The proportion of officers who said their morale was low ranged from 53.2 per cent at North Yorkshire Police, to 68.3 per cent at South Yorkshire Police, with 56.6 per cent at West Yorkshire Police and 61.2 per cent at Humberside Police.

The national poll of 30,000 ofHumberside ficers also found nearly threequarters (72 per cent) were dissatisfied with their total pay package, the highest level since the survey began and a marked rise on the 66.7 per cent reported last year.

Police, whose Chief Constable Justine Curran was forced out last year and has seen a series of recent critical reviews, said the Police Federation reports “a range of issues that police forces are dealing with across the country”.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy McDyer said the changing nature of crime and a national increase in calls had “impacted on workloads and are set against a backdrop of reductions in numbers of police”.

He said officers’ current shift patterns were at the “centre of their problems with work-life balance and health and well-being – which are two of the biggest reasons for low morale”.

He said: “And so we’re listening to that and we’re working with those officers to devise a better shift pattern that will improve the lives of officers, and ultimately provide a better service to the public.”

He said a Northbank Commander and a Southbank Commander had been put in place to strengthen local decision-making, and 215 extra officers will be brought in over 12 months, rather than 18.