Police sickness levels at five-year high as East Yorkshire officers face 'more pressure'
SICKNESS levels among police officers are the highest they have been for five years.
Officers in the East Riding have the highest sickness rate, with 5.56 per cent of hours officers were due to work lost to sickness in the first half of last year.
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On the rise: Rates of sickness among Humberside Police officers have reached their highest level for five years.
In Hull, that figure was 3.55 per cent, with a force average of 3.64 per cent.
The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said the increasing rate could be linked to added pressure on officers because of falling numbers.
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More than 200 police officer jobs have been cut since the force was told it would have to slash £30m from its budget in 2010.
By 2015, that number is due to exceed 400.
Steve Garmston, chairman of the Humberside branch of the federation, said: "We can't say it is definitely because the numbers are falling, but it is an explanation we have to closely guard against.
"We have warned that with reducing numbers of police officers on the streets, more pressure will be brought to bear on those who remain and the expectation that we can do more with less may prove to be unrealistic.
"Ensuring that attendance is managed effectively, therefore, is as key a priority for the chief constable and the police and crime commissioner, as it is for the federation.
"The statistics will continue to be closely monitored to make sure the public are getting the best service we are able to provide in these difficult times of austerity."
The Mail understands the high level of sickness in the East Riding is partly due to several long-term cases.
The new divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Richard Kerman, is believed to have made bringing the sickness rate down one of his priorities.
Mr Garmston said: "There is an issue in the East Riding, but measures are being put in place to reduce that. It is at odds with the rest of the force.
"The figures quoted are concerning, but they should be taken in perspective.
"The percentages can be disproportionately affected when the figures are based on a smaller numbers of officers than in previous years."
Between April and October last year, 19,923 hours were lost to sickness in the East Riding, with 18,329 hours lost in Hull.
Five years ago, 19,836 hours were lost to sickness in the East Riding over a year-long period, with 29,760 lost in Hull.
Clare Baggs, of the force's human resources department, said: "Although there has been an increase in absence rates, performance is good when compared with the national average for the police service.
"We remained below the national average across all groups of staff for 2011-12."
The figures were released following a Freedom of Information request by the Mail.
The force refused to give details of the reasons for the absences as it would exceed the time limits set out in the Freedom of Information Act.
Comments
by archieboden
Friday, January 04 2013, 4:40PM
“I wonder what prompted the release of these figures? I also wonder how these figures compare with other occupations. Are the police the only workers who go sick, presumably so.”
by unified
Friday, January 04 2013, 11:33AM
“The police are always complaining that they spend so much time form filling they cant get out for more than 20% of their time.
If so, how do they suffer stress from sitting in an office and never spending time on the streets”
by PatrickNewman
Friday, January 04 2013, 10:44AM
“If the police have not got an analysis of the reasons for the sickness then it is little wonder they are struggling with the problem. Their refusal of the FoI request is absurd. However perhaps EY police should ask Hull police how they managed to achieve a greater than a third reduction in their sickness days over a five year period. Any thoughts Mr Grove on a real policing issue? I understand Mr Robinson has some personal experience of absence management!”
by Mysby
Friday, January 04 2013, 9:14AM
“Isn't this just statistics? If you have a small number of people who are sick and you then reduce the total workforce the percentage goes up. It's simple maths.
I also suppose that with Police Officers being involved in confrontation and conflict more than an average worker we should expect them to be injured and off sick more than the average!
Also, we seem to be doing better than most other areas of the UK, particularly in Hull if you look 5 years ago. So this headline could read - "Police Sickness Rates among some of the best in the country" or "Police sickness levels in Hull reduced by 60% in 5 years ago" (That's more than HALF for those who count on their fingers)
Negative reporting to bring out the internet trolls I think - you've been sussed HDM.”
by Kustard2011
Friday, January 04 2013, 8:58AM
“Oh I do look forward to all the negative comments that will be submitted by those who are not qualified to comment. This will be a good day for the march of the 'Ill Informed'.
Ding Ding.... Let battle commence.”
by TIGERPETER
Friday, January 04 2013, 7:43AM
“There is only one answer to this problem. Stop paying the sickness pay.”