Category: police staff

Campaign launched to highlight role police staff play in keeping communities safe

Police staff deserve greater recognition of their vital role in fighting crime and protecting communities, said UNISON as it launched a new initiative to highlight their work.

Speaking at the union’s annual police and justice conference in Edinburgh as the We Are Police Staff campaign was launched, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Politicians know they can’t win an election unless they’re trusted on law and order. But ministers have paid very little attention to the work done by thousands of police staff.

“Justice secretary Alex Chalk used his conference speech this week to praise lawyers and judges. But made no mention of all the other staff who keep the justice system running every day.

“Nor did policing minister Chris Philp when he told the public they should arrest shoplifters.

“Conservative politicians might not be able to grasp the significance of the role of police workers, but UNISON does. That’s why the union is launching its We Are Police Staff campaign.

“Policing is about so much more than just its officers. Everyone should appreciate the knowledge and skills of police staff, but they’re often invisible and behind the scenes.

“They’re dedicated, skillful and vital to the success of every force. None could function without the predominantly female workforce of scenes-of-crime officers, 999 call takers, police community support officers, witness care officers and so many other essential staff.

“Investigations and prosecutions would be nigh-on impossible without police staff. But their jobs are most at risk when budgets are cut.

“Of course more officers are needed too, but losing police staff is no help to them or local communities.

“UNISON’s We Are Police Staff campaign wants to ensure there’s real understanding of what police staff do and a recognition that communities can only be kept safe if these jobs are protected and promoted.”

Notes to editors:
– More details on the We Are Police Staff campaign can be found here.
– Christina McAnea was speaking at UNISON’s annual police and justice conference that is taking place in Edinburgh today and tomorrow (5 and 6 October). More details can be found here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contact:
Dan Ashley M: 07908 672893 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk

 

The article Campaign launched to highlight role police staff play in keeping communities safe first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Campaign launched to highlight role police staff play in keeping communities safe

Police staff deserve greater recognition of their vital role in fighting crime and protecting communities, said UNISON as it launched a new initiative to highlight their work.

Speaking at the union’s annual police and justice conference in Edinburgh as the We Are Police Staff campaign was launched, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Politicians know they can’t win an election unless they’re trusted on law and order. But ministers have paid very little attention to the work done by thousands of police staff.

“Justice secretary Alex Chalk used his conference speech this week to praise lawyers and judges. But made no mention of all the other staff who keep the justice system running every day.

“Nor did policing minister Chris Philp when he told the public they should arrest shoplifters.

“Conservative politicians might not be able to grasp the significance of the role of police workers, but UNISON does. That’s why the union is launching its We Are Police Staff campaign.

“Policing is about so much more than just its officers. Everyone should appreciate the knowledge and skills of police staff, but they’re often invisible and behind the scenes.

“They’re dedicated, skillful and vital to the success of every force. None could function without the predominantly female workforce of scenes-of-crime officers, 999 call takers, police community support officers, witness care officers and so many other essential staff.

“Investigations and prosecutions would be nigh-on impossible without police staff. But their jobs are most at risk when budgets are cut.

“Of course more officers are needed too, but losing police staff is no help to them or local communities.

“UNISON’s We Are Police Staff campaign wants to ensure there’s real understanding of what police staff do and a recognition that communities can only be kept safe if these jobs are protected and promoted.”

Notes to editors:
– More details on the We Are Police Staff campaign can be found here.
– Christina McAnea was speaking at UNISON’s annual police and justice conference that is taking place in Edinburgh today and tomorrow (5 and 6 October). More details can be found here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contact:
Dan Ashley M: 07908 672893 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk

 

The article Campaign launched to highlight role police staff play in keeping communities safe first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Campaign launched to highlight role police staff play in keeping communities safe

Police staff deserve greater recognition of their vital role in fighting crime and protecting communities, said UNISON as it launched a new initiative to highlight their work.

Speaking at the union’s annual police and justice conference in Edinburgh as the We Are Police Staff campaign was launched, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Politicians know they can’t win an election unless they’re trusted on law and order. But ministers have paid very little attention to the work done by thousands of police staff.

“Justice secretary Alex Chalk used his conference speech this week to praise lawyers and judges. But made no mention of all the other staff who keep the justice system running every day.

“Nor did policing minister Chris Philp when he told the public they should arrest shoplifters.

“Conservative politicians might not be able to grasp the significance of the role of police workers, but UNISON does. That’s why the union is launching its We Are Police Staff campaign.

“Policing is about so much more than just its officers. Everyone should appreciate the knowledge and skills of police staff, but they’re often invisible and behind the scenes.

“They’re dedicated, skillful and vital to the success of every force. None could function without the predominantly female workforce of scenes-of-crime officers, 999 call takers, police community support officers, witness care officers and so many other essential staff.

“Investigations and prosecutions would be nigh-on impossible without police staff. But their jobs are most at risk when budgets are cut.

“Of course more officers are needed too, but losing police staff is no help to them or local communities.

“UNISON’s We Are Police Staff campaign wants to ensure there’s real understanding of what police staff do and a recognition that communities can only be kept safe if these jobs are protected and promoted.”

Notes to editors:
– More details on the We Are Police Staff campaign can be found here.
– Christina McAnea was speaking at UNISON’s annual police and justice conference that is taking place in Edinburgh today and tomorrow (5 and 6 October). More details can be found here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contact:
Dan Ashley M: 07908 672893 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk

 

The article Campaign launched to highlight role police staff play in keeping communities safe first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: To preserve our safety, we must protect police staff

UNISON members working in the police and justice sector are spearheading a new ‘We Are Police Staff’ campaign.

The campaign will demonstrate our unwavering commitment to promote and defend the rights of police staff, who are tirelessly working in police forces across England, Scotland and Wales.

This will be no fleeting effort, but a long-term initiative that aims to make a profound impact over time.

We’re launching it officially this week, at the police and justice service group conference in Edinburgh, where I’ll also be pleased to address our members, to talk about how we can make the most of our campaign.

There is no doubt that this is a very important campaign for UNISON. The lack of understanding that the public, media and politicians have about police staff means they cannot truly comprehend the critical role they play in our society.

Police staff are dedicated, knowledgeable, skilful, and vital for the success of any police force. And they’re a predominantly female workforce, made up of police community support officers (PCSOs), scenes of crime officers, 999 call takers, custody and detention officers, witness care officers, and so many more.

Watch our We Are Police Staff film (England and Wales)

Watch our We Are Police Staff film (Scotland)

Of the total police workforce in England and Wales, 37% are police staff, while in Scotland it’s 28% – investigations and prosecutions would be nigh on impossible without them.

Yet police staff jobs are most at risk when budget cuts come in. Or forces resort to keeping posts vacant and replacing them with police officers. Of course, we need more police officers too, but having a depleted police staff workforce doesn’t help police officers, or communities.

So when the campaign gets going, look out for our videos and social media content – amplify it as much as you can, and then get involved by sending a greeting card to your MPs, MSPs and Senedd members, highlighting the important contributions of police staff to the police team. And make sure your branch orders campaign materials from UNISON.

Through this campaign, we can ensure there is real and lasting recognition and understanding of police staff, and a greater appreciation that to preserve safety in our communities, we must protect police staff roles.

 

The article Blog: To preserve our safety, we must protect police staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: To preserve our safety, we must protect police staff

UNISON members working in the police and justice sector are spearheading a new ‘We Are Police Staff’ campaign.

The campaign will demonstrate our unwavering commitment to promote and defend the rights of police staff, who are tirelessly working in police forces across England, Scotland and Wales.

This will be no fleeting effort, but a long-term initiative that aims to make a profound impact over time.

We’re launching it officially this week, at the police and justice service group conference in Edinburgh, where I’ll also be pleased to address our members, to talk about how we can make the most of our campaign.

There is no doubt that this is a very important campaign for UNISON. The lack of understanding that the public, media and politicians have about police staff means they cannot truly comprehend the critical role they play in our society.

Police staff are dedicated, knowledgeable, skilful, and vital for the success of any police force. And they’re a predominantly female workforce, made up of police community support officers (PCSOs), scenes of crime officers, 999 call takers, custody and detention officers, witness care officers, and so many more.

Of the total police workforce in England and Wales, 37% are police staff, while in Scotland it’s 28% – investigations and prosecutions would be nigh on impossible without them.

Yet police staff jobs are most at risk when budget cuts come in. Or forces resort to keeping posts vacant and replacing them with police officers. Of course, we need more police officers too, but having a depleted police staff workforce doesn’t help police officers, or communities.

So when the campaign gets going, look out for our videos and social media content – amplify it as much as you can, and then get involved by sending a greeting card to your MPs, MSPs and Senedd members, highlighting the important contributions of police staff to the police team. And make sure your branch orders campaign materials from UNISON.

Through this campaign, we can ensure there is real and lasting recognition and understanding of police staff, and a greater appreciation that to preserve safety in our communities, we must protect police staff roles.

The article Blog: To preserve our safety, we must protect police staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Police staff in England and Wales offered 7% pay increase, says UNISON  

Police staff in most forces in England and Wales – including those in witness support, data teams and cleaning roles – have been offered a 7% pay rise, says UNISON today (Thursday). 

If accepted, the increase proposed by the police staff employers* would take effect from 1 September 2023. 

It means the hourly rate for the lowest paid police staff would rise from £10.62 to £11.46 an hour. That’s an increase of £1,446 a year and would see the lowest annual salaries rise from £20,655 to £22,101.

In addition, the police staff employers are offering a 7% rise on payments to employees who are asked to be available for work outside their normal hours. This would see the hourly rates for ‘standby’ allowances rise from £32.23 to £34.49. 

UNISON is recommending its members vote to accept the offer, which is the same percentage wage rise that the government announced for police officers last month.

The union’s police staff committee discussed the proposed pay rise and decided it’s the best that can be achieved by negotiation.

UNISON national police and justice officer Ben Priestley said: “This offer recognises the vital role police staff play in keeping communities safe and helping bring offenders to justice.

“It’s now up to police staff to decide if they want to accept the offer. If they don’t, the only alternative will be to ballot for possible industrial action.”

Notes to editors:  

– *These are the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the Home Office. The Local Government Association acts as the secretariat for the employers’ side of the Police Staff Council (PSC). The 7% offer from the employers applies to all salary points. 
– UNISON will be running a digital ballot, which opened yesterday (Wednesday) and closes at noon on 30 August.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.  

Media contact:  
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Police staff in England and Wales offered 7% pay increase, says UNISON   first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Police staff in England and Wales offered 7% pay increase, says UNISON  

Police staff in most forces in England and Wales – including those in witness support, data teams and cleaning roles – have been offered a 7% pay rise, says UNISON today (Thursday). 

If accepted, the increase proposed by the police staff employers* would take effect from 1 September 2023. 

It means the hourly rate for the lowest paid police staff would rise from £10.62 to £11.46 an hour. That’s an increase of £1,446 a year and would see the lowest annual salaries rise from £20,655 to £22,101.

In addition, the police staff employers are offering a 7% rise on payments to employees who are asked to be available for work outside their normal hours. This would see the hourly rates for ‘standby’ allowances rise from £32.23 to £34.49. 

UNISON is recommending its members vote to accept the offer, which is the same percentage wage rise that the government announced for police officers last month.

The union’s police staff committee discussed the proposed pay rise and decided it’s the best that can be achieved by negotiation.

UNISON national police and justice officer Ben Priestley said: “This offer recognises the vital role police staff play in keeping communities safe and helping bring offenders to justice.

“It’s now up to police staff to decide if they want to accept the offer. If they don’t, the only alternative will be to ballot for possible industrial action.”

Notes to editors:  

– *These are the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the Home Office. The Local Government Association acts as the secretariat for the employers’ side of the Police Staff Council (PSC). The 7% offer from the employers applies to all salary points. 
– UNISON will be running a digital ballot, which opened yesterday (Wednesday) and closes at noon on 30 August.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.  

Media contact:  
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Police staff in England and Wales offered 7% pay increase, says UNISON   first appeared on the UNISON National site.