Some UK police are leaving for better opportunities. From mental health to verbal and physical abuse, some cops are calling it and moving on.
Love the Job but Can’t Stay
Being a police officer takes more than wit and grit; it takes courage, bravery, and the will to do the right thing in the face of danger. But, police have recently faced many more challenges than others, and some have decided working elsewhere would be better.
The Pay Isn’t the Best
Even when you love what you do, there is only so much one can take, and at times, the pay is just not right considering what the police face on a daily basis. In recent years everything from violent protests and riots, to controversial incidents.
What’s the Average Pay?
According to UK Talent.com, the average policeman and woman earn about £23,000 per year if they are new and still gaining experience. For more seasoned police officers, an annual average of £28,000, while some higher earners in the industry may get up to £40,000 per year.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Apart from the salary, many police officers also battle with mental health concerns, given their line of work. Every day can be filled with traumatic experiences.
Low Morale and Poor Treatment
More than mental health, the dangerous work and poor pay are the main reasons many police are resigning. Police have reported having very low morale, and their wellbeing wasn’t the best either. Officers have said they feel “unfairly treated by the government,” according to the Police Federation.
Understaffed and Overworked
In a survey taken by the Police Federation, 71% of officers said they felt undervalued, with 86% citing that they were very overworked and that there were too little staff per unit.
Many Officers Want to Resign
The Survey by the Police Federation suggests that UK officers want to resign rather than work in a bad environment. The morale is way low, and it is hard to bounce back from this point when looking at low pay, feeling undervalued, working in unsafe environments, and being overworked.
UK Police Are Leaving for Australia
Australia has been shown to pay its police officers substantially more than the UK. Now UK officers are leaving for “The Land Down Under” not only for more benefits but also for the safety of their families.
What Does Australian Police Earn?
Australia’s Talent.com suggests an entry level police earn 63,000 AUD (£32,500,) while the intermediate officers earn around 69,000 AUD (£35,600,) and experienced police earn 90,000 AUD(£46,500) per annum.
What’s Making Australia Attractive for British Cops?
Australia offers newly recruited officers from the UK an attractive welcome pack of £1,200. They also provide accommodation in safe environments for the officer and their family.
More Active Police on Standby
According to the Telegraph, Australia has begun recruiting British officers as part of a program the country has begun to have more active police in various Australian neighbourhoods.
Flexible Work-Life Balance
If that didn’t sound good enough, there’s actually more. UK officers joining the Australian police force are given excellent work-life balance opportunities. Some officers work on a 38-hour week schedule, and others on a flexi-hour contract.
Higher Police Presence in All Cities
Higher police presence leads to lower crime and attempted crime antics. The country wants to establish about 13,000 police officers in each neighbourhood.
Beautiful Weather
Australia also has an amazing climate and this is something many UK cops look forward to as well. They can spend much more time with family and not worry about being overworked.
Australia Is Overall a Safe Place
Chief Inspector Scott Collins who is based in Adelaide, Australia, said that riots and pushback from the public is “virtually unheard of.” Violent crimes are “nowhere near to the UK level,” he claimed.
Australia Does Have Its Own Issues
It doesn’t mean the city was without its problems, crime, and shortcomings, Chief Inspector Collins added. Still, the environment is much better in Australia compared to the UK.
What UK Police Want
Inspector Collins said that the UK recruits he works with have often voiced their concerns for their families growing up in UK. He claimed the police there worried about how much worse it was becoming where crime and unrest were concerned.
A Balanced Work and Home Life
Good income, a safe place to raise their family, and work-life balance is what most UK cops are looking for.
UK Police Leaving in Large Numbers
According to The Mirror, over 1,4000 and counting have left for better opportunities in Australia.
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