Police Mutual (PMAS) warns of personal welfare risk
Police Mutual, the UK's largest affinity friendly society
dedicated to supporting the personal welfare of the police, has
warned of the growing threat of financial stress in the police
service.
According to its own research, Police Mutual has identified that
around 35,000 police officers and staff are already under financial
pressure, and that this could rise to 1 in 3 as the economic
environment tightens. Given the known link between 'money
stress', performance at work and illness, this could have a major
operational impact on Policing.
Stephen Mann, Chief Executive of Police Mutual comments, "We
have completed a detailed research programme and have found that a
significant number of police officers are already at risk of living
beyond their means, even at a time of low interest rates and
current employment terms. This will increase as the situation
deteriorates. Ensuring that the welfare of individual officers and
staff is not forgotten during a period of major change will be
important to them individually but also to the Police service in
retaining a committed and healthy organisation focused on
protecting the public and reducing crime. Managing the
organisational risk during this period of change, where disposable
income for the Police is likely to reduce, will be an important
challenge to rise to. Retaining a stable and trusted Police service
remains vital, not just for the Police as employer but for the
public too.
James Henderson, Police Mutual's Commercial Director, adds,
"Police Mutual is an intrinsic part of the police community, and
because of this is well-placed to identify changes likely to impact
members of the police service. We are already working with a
number of Chief Constables to understand the effects of this threat
at a local level, and put in place ways to support officers and
staff who find themselves in this position."
Ends
For more information please contact:
Jo Cardwell
Corporate Communications
Police
Mutual Group
T: 01543 305323
E: press.office@pmas.co.uk
Notes to
editors
Police Mutual Assurance Society
Police Mutual was founded in 1922 to provide welfare and
financial support for police officers.
It is the UK's largest affinity friendly society with almost
£1bn funds under management and has around 220,000 policyholders
among serving and retired police officers, staff and their family
members.
Police Mutual is owned by, and run by, members of the police
service. Its Committee of Management includes representation
from all police ranks to ensure that decisions reflect the needs of
the service as a whole.