Police officers 'run ragged' due to budget cuts

The news comes after figures were released showing that the number of sick days taken by officers because of psychological issues has doubled in six years – despite a fall in the total number of officers employed.

Chairman Russ Yeomans said that officers in West Mercia are falling ill at an “alarming rate”.

He said: “New figures suggest officers in West Mercia are falling ill at an alarming rate as a result of unprecedented cuts to the service – and our members’ psychological wellbeing is taking a hit.

“We need extra funding from the government to protect officer numbers and our officers from the ill effects of having to do more with less.

“Officers are being asked to do much more than they used to, with far fewer resources and far less back up. They are run ragged and are coming to work every day in an environment where they are rushing around constantly and struggling to take breaks and entitlements.

“They are under more pressure and scrutiny than ever and are unable to get the rest time and recuperation they so desperately need. So it is no wonder that they are falling ill.”

Mr Yeomans added that the force was doing “what it can” to tackle the issues.

He said: “We are not surprised at these numbers. The force is doing what it can. It is prioritising wellbeing and doing a lot of work to provide support to officers, highlighting mental health issues.

“But it is clear with all these budget cuts, we need help from elsewhere and that has got to come from the government. The government needs to step up, look at these figures and make policing a priority.

“This is an issue across the country; not just in our force. The government must properly resource the police service if it is to effectively protect the public.”

The figures, revealed earlier this week through a Freedom of Information request show that, last year, more than 7,000 sick days were taken by police officers in the West Mercia force due to psychological issues.

That compares to fewer than 3,500 sick days taken in 2010/11 – when there were about 200 extra officers on the streets of the region.

The number of sick days taken by police officers through physical illness or injury also rose by more than 1,000 days in the same time period. Long-term sickness through mental health issues doubled and those off sick for more than a month through physical illness rose by a third.

West Mercia Police Chief Superintendent Charles Hill, said the force had improved its occupational health services to support staff.

He said: “We are firmly committed to supporting our officers, staff and volunteers, both mentally and physically in their demanding jobs and we have put in place a number of initiatives to better support our workforce.”

“We have improved our occupational health services to further support staff with health problems and have set up a range of support services and staff networks. Members of our workforce now have access to a confidential 24/7 helpline and this work is all carried out alongside our ongoing collaboration with the Mind charity Blue Light Campaign Pledge.

“In addition to this we encourage people to take part in different activities to promote their mental and physical health and to help give them the skills to recognise when they or a colleague might need help.”