Police chief calls for pay shake-up

He said a shake-up would give senior officers "critical flexibility" to keep up services amid a massive spending squeeze and warned changes to save money could reduce the potential impact on the front-line numbers of police officers and staff.

His comments come after a document passed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) to the Government outlined potential savings.

Members suggested scrapping a host of additional payments and bonuses as well as reducing the amount of overtime paid for working on public holidays.

Other arrangements, including compensation for cancelled rest days, may also be changed or axed completely.

Speaking on behalf of Acpo, Mr Hollis said: "We are facing the biggest spending cuts to policing in recent memory and the pace of change is daunting.

"Chief officers are absolutely committed to doing all they can to ensure that front-line policing services are maintained.

"We absolutely recognise the need to reward our hard working police officers and recognise their unique status as office holders who must be available to respond to need at any time and have no ability to strike.

"Notwithstanding these points, Acpo believes that the development of a modern pay and reward framework is essential and timely."

The Government review of police pay and conditions is already behind schedule but is expected to report next January with sweeping changes.

There are likely to be painful behind-the-scenes negotiations as the Government, police leaders and rank-and-file representatives attempt to thrash out proposals.

Officials may even consider changing the law so officers can be made redundant as some forces investigate whether staff can be forced to retire.

Police have been criticised for a 450m a year overtime bill and other "out-of-date" remuneration rules.

In June the Yorkshire Post revealed a Yorkshire chief constable received a pay increase of more than 20 per cent last year while the cost of paying the region's four senior command teams also went up by almost 10 per cent – four times the 2.6 per cent wage increase imposed on police last September and just ahead of the two-year pay freeze for all public sector workers.

South Yorkshire Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes saw his pay package, including some backdated bonus and pension costs, rise by slightly more than 40,000, up by more than 20 per cent on his previous year's 189,000.

Numbers of police staff earning more than 50,000 have also soared in the region, with more than 1,300 enjoying that level of income last year in the four Yorkshire forces. Those with a wage of more than 100,000, excluding pension benefits, rose by 50 per cent from 13 to 19.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We have already announced our intention to review pay and conditions of service for police officers and staff. Details of the review will be announced shortly."

Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "We are extremely disappointed that such an important paper has been leaked into the public domain, causing much anger and distress amongst police officers throughout England and Wales.

"While on first reading much in the paper is to be commended, there are many areas of very real concern which we strongly oppose and will seek to address on behalf of our members.

"While I do not believe this is the right way to do business, it is intrinsic that at a time of great uncertainty and constraint all policing bodies work together openly and transparently to ensure the future of policing in England and Wales is shaped by police officers, not individuals, for the benefit and safety of the public," he added.