| The role of a police officer in England and Wales is a | | | | especially as a case runs over. Officers are |
| very difficult one. The responsibility with which officers | | | | remunerated for their overtime. overtime is not |
| are charged is a very serious one; the safety of the | | | | guaranteed and is usually subject to individual police |
| public is at stake and only the more suitable officers | | | | regulations and budgets. |
| are ever chosen. Since the police force needs | | | | Some officers work on a part time basis. The pay and |
| responsible and committed individuals to carry out its | | | | benefits of a police officer are the same only in |
| duties, the pay and benefits of an officer have to be in | | | | proportion to the number of hours worked. Some |
| line with this. | | | | people even apply to the police force on a part time |
| The salary of a officer is really quite competitive. Upon | | | | basis although the police training has to be conducted |
| appointment, a police officer can expect to be earning | | | | on a full time scale. For those that wish to work part |
| £21,000 per annum. This increases (to around | | | | time due to childcare arrangements, there are |
| £23,000) after just 32 weeks and then a pay | | | | schemes supported by the police to help with this |
| increase occurs each year for ten years after the | | | | aspect of life. |
| two year probation period. After ten years service, a | | | | The holiday entitlement for a police officer is 22 days |
| police officer can expect to be earning more than | | | | per year which will increase after the first two years. |
| £32,000. | | | | On a related topic, sick pay is 100% for the first six |
| On top of this, police officers are also eligible for up to | | | | months of sickness during any 12 month period. |
| £2,000 worth of allowance costs which is | | | | Additional health related assistance can be made by |
| separate from their normal salary. | | | | the police welfare teams if this is necessary. Given the |
| The pay and benefits of an officer extend to the | | | | nature of the police officers' job, this can sometimes |
| years after their retirement. The pension scheme for a | | | | be required. |
| officer is really very agreeable. There is even the | | | | Pay and benefits of a police officer match the job |
| option of transferring all other pension schemes into | | | | they have to perform. The salary is competitive and |
| the police one. National insurance contributions are paid | | | | the pension arrangements are very acceptable indeed. |
| at a lower, contracted out rate. This means the police | | | | The officers that keep our country safe deserve their |
| pensions are based on earnings and not national | | | | remuneration and the benefits that they receive. There |
| insurance payments. | | | | are other fringe benefits such as affordable housing |
| The pay is of course pro rata and overtime is | | | | and gym access, but the police pay and benefits are |
| available. The working week is 40 hours for officers | | | | altogether, very agreeable. |
| and it is almost inevitable that overtime will be required, | | | | |