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Police overtime pay could be cut
POLICE in Whitby face having overtime payments slashed as part of a national cost-cutting drive.
According to police minister David Hanson, the 500 million annual overtime bill for England and Wales must be cut by 70 million – equivalent to a loss of 520 from the annual pay packet of every constable and sergeant.
North Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable Graham Maxwell, the national police spokesman on finances, said forces had been “highly creative” in saving cash.
He said: “The police service is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week organisation and has to be able to respond flexibly to any event or crime at any time.
“Overtime is paid to officers of constable or sergeant rank only and reflects the realities of modern policing. It should always be properly monitored by chief officers and police authorities for cost-effectiveness.
“The service is absolutely committed to driving efficiencies while ensuring the right structures and resources can be called on to meet the needs of each and every local community we serve.”
Coun Jane Kenyon, chairman of North Yorkshire Police Authority, said the North Yorkshire force had been working with the police federation for some time to identify areas where savings could be made.
She said: “I agree with what the police minister has said, but North Yorkshire Police has been doing this for some time.”
Officials are reviewing overtime deals struck with officers who work extra hours, between shifts and with short notice.
One agreement under scrutiny is a minimum payment of four hours salary, at time-and-a-third, for answering a phone call and making a decision while off duty.
Police minister David Hanson said talks had begun with the Police Negotiating Board and a new deal would be announced within 12 months.
He said: “There is a culture that overtime is acceptable in the system and therefore it is something that has not been looked at with scrutiny in the way it should have been.”
Mr Hanson said a lot of overtime could be saved by restructuring police rotas, putting extra officers on at peak times, and recruiting special constables who work for free.
He added: “I am not going to criticise officers or chief constables. I am simply saying the cost of overtime is significant.
“We need to look at how we can reduce it at a time when we have increased resources from Government, but we need to make better use of it.”
On Tuesday the Government unveiled a report on value for money which had been agreed with police representatives, outlining plans to save more cash.
Officials said public servants must be “more frugal” in all they do, from buying equipment to forward planning.
And they repeated claims that national deals for vehicles, body armour, phones and computer systems would help save 545 million every year by 2014.
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Weather for Whitby
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
