TNAG-0083-FCO40-119-Police-Adviser-s-reports-1968 — Page 40

CONFIDENTIAL

Establishment

1967/8

11,31

(present strength 10850)

1968/9

11,600

1969/70

11,900

1970/1

12,300

1971/2

12,900

1972/3

13,100

1

(5) Pay and Conditions of Service

Much has been written in the past on police rank and file being paid the rate for the job. The Secretary of States Confidential Circular No. 47 of 1957 lays down guidelines for the assessment of appropriate rates of pay for Police Other Ranks and stresses the need to examine police rates separately from those of the Civil Service.

The Commissioner of Police has recently made submissions to Government on Police pay, laying particular emphasis on adequate rates for Rank and File.

The wastage rate (through resignation) of the Force has risen from 17 per month in 1966 to 28 per month in 1967. There were 48 resignations from the Force in July 1967. This is ascribed to relatively disadvantageous conditions on joining the Force, nany resigning to join commercial firms.

Government is aware of this problem and is considering, as a matter of urgency, a substantial increase in the monthly allowance granted to all non-gazetted ranks. The Commissioner of Police does not believe that this alone will meet the basic requirements of the Force which are a general upward revision of salaries and a consolidation of allowances. This affects all non-gazetted ranks in the Force and was raised at a meeting of the Local Inspectors' Association which was attended by the Commissioner of Police and myself (agenda attached - appendix A).

As an interin measure, a substantial increase in monthly allowances may partly alleviate the situation but general dissatisfaction at Police pay and conditions of service under current conditions of stress cannot be ignored. I would, however, recommend that any future general revision of Police salaries should be accompanied by an examination of the contractual liabilities of the Police. Enlistment is not on a contractual basis nor is there any system of re-engagement in force. Other Ranks can leave the Force at any time on giving one month's notice. This must inevitably contribute to the relatively high wastage rate in the Force.

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CONFIDENTIAL

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