Essex Police Officer Sickness Rises
19 August 2014, 07:11 | Updated: 19 August 2014, 10:04
Essex's Police and Crime Commissioner says force cut backs may have contributed to the number of days police officers have to take off because of stress, anxiety or depression.
Two years ago, Essex Police, along with other forces across the country, were set a target of making £42 million savings to their annual budget of £262 million.
The number of 'duty days' lost has more than doubled in the last five years to 11,00
Nick Alston said the figure is worryingly high: "The most significant increase in duty days lost occurred in the run-up to and during the major Essex Police organisational restructure known as Blueprint, between 2011 and 2013. All organisations need to examine how they operate, to see if alternative models might be more effective and efficient.
"I do not criticise Essex Police for exploring the implementation of a “functional” policing model, with more centralised control and tasking of officers, PCSOs and staff. It is to the credit of Essex Police that the Blueprint model was kept under constant review by the then Chief Constable. Chief Constable Kavanagh has now made the decision to return the force to a model with more local supervision and control of policing resources at its heart.
"There are other factors to consider too. It is always the case that police forces will face critical incidents, calling for an exceptional response. The recent murders in Colchester have understandably, and entirely correctly, placed significant strain on Essex Police.
"Police officers, PCSOs and police staff have responded with great professionalism, regularly working long shifts, back to back, day after day. They have my respect and thanks, and I’m sure the respect and thanks of everyone in our communities.
"It is my judgement that over the past few years, cost-cutting measures went too far in the area of occupational health and access to physiotherapy services. I know that the Chief Constable and his senior team are working to increase the support available to injured officers.
"I expect the force to continue to manage police officer and staff sickness with genuine compassion, professional support and careful supervision. Whilst ensuring that the health and welfare of everyone working for Essex Police is at the heart of this process, I also expect the number of days lost to sickness to reduce as the Chief Constable leads the force forward."