Correspondence

Linking police officer pay progression to performance

Published 20 March 2015

1. Determination of the secretary of state under the police regulations 2003

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by regulation 24 of the Police Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/537), as amended, and having consulted appropriately, makes the following determination.

The Secretary of State has determined that, with effect from 1 April 2015 except where otherwise stated:—

In the determination under regulation 24 of the Police Regulations 2003 (Annex F – Pay), after Part 1A, insert:

Part 1B.

Incremental progression through the pay scale to be dependent on performance for sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors (from 1 april 2015) and for constables (from 1 april 2016)

Incremental progression

• Incremental progression through the pay scale will be dependent upon a member receiving a grade of ‘achieved performance’ (or the equivalent grade in a police force’s own grading system, as determined by the Chief Constable) or above in their performance development review (“PDR”) or alternative performance assessment process relating to the preceding period of 12 months’ of their service from the anniversary of a member’s end of year assessment.

• For the purposes of this determination, “PDR or alternative process”, means an annual performance assessment process which meets minimum national performance standards and national standards of assessment set by the College of Policing, including an appeals process.

• In the absence of a PDR or alternative process which meets minimum national performance standards and national standards of assessment set by the College of Policing, a member will be assumed to have received a grade of ‘achieved performance’ (or the equivalent grade in a police force’s own grading system, as determined by the Chief Constable).

• Members will be reassessed for pay progression annually. Members will progress through the pay scale at the anniversary of their appointment or promotion, if they are awarded (or assumed to be awarded) a grade of ‘achieved performance’ or above (or the equivalent grade in a police force’s own grading system, as determined by the Chief Constable) in their PDR or alternative process.

• Increments will not be paid until formal completion, or assumed formal completion (pursuant to paragraph 3), of the PDR or alternative process. Assumed formal completion will be considered to have occurred on the anniversary of their appointment or promotion. Following such completion of the PDR or alternative process, the member’s pay will progress to the next pay point backdated to the date of the due increment.

• Incremental progression will only be denied if the officer:

(a) is graded as ’not achieved’ (or the equivalent grade in a police force’s own grading system, as determined by the Chief Constable) in their PDR or alternative process; and (b) is also subject to formal action within Stages 1, 2 or 3 of Unsatisfactory Performance Procedures under the Police (Performance) Regulations 2012 at the end of the 12 month period being assessed.

• Where the member meets the conditions in 6 (a) and 6 (b) above, but only starts to be subject to the formal action referred to in 6 (b) in the period of six weeks immediately prior to the end of the 12 month period being assessed, the Chief Constable has the discretion to permit incremental progression in the case of that member if the Chief Constable is of the view that the last six weeks of the PDR or alternative process year is not representative of the preceding 12 months’ performance by the member.

• Where a member’s appeal against their final PDR or alternative process grading is upheld, which means that the condition in paragraph 6 (a) is no longer met, pay will be reinstated at the higher rate, backdated to the date of the due increment.

• During transition to the new system, incremental progression will continue to apply in relation to any PDR rating awarded in respect of a reporting year ending on or before 31 March 2015 which has not yet resulted in any increment or payment being awarded by that date.