More police officers turning to second jobs as worries grow about finances

NEARLY ONE in 12 rank-and-file police officers has taken a second job to boost their income, new research suggests.

A poll of more than 27,000 personnel by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) found 7.8 per cent of respondents had additional work – up from 6.3 per cent last year. Police can take on additional employment outside their working hours with approval from their force. It has previously been reported that officers have worked in a variety of roles including taxi driving, photography, plumbing and gardening.

The latest findings by the Police Federation, which represents officers from constable up to chief inspector rank, are based on responses from 27,303 members to its pay and morale survey in April and May.

It found that nearly half of those polled said they worry about the state of their personal finances either every day or almost every day.

More than one in nine said that they either never or almost never had enough money to cover all of their essentials.

John Apter, chair of the PFEW, said the results “make grim reading”.

Last month, the Government announced police officers would be awarded a pay rise of two per cent in 2018 to 2019 – but the PFEW labelled the increase “derisory”.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We are grateful to all police officers for the incredible job they do – and will continue to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.

“The police pay award for 2018/19 represents the highest consolidated pay award since 2010.”