Managing sickness professionally and supportively

It is crucial that Essex Police is as efficient as possible.  It is part of my role as Police and Crime Commissioner to scrutinise Essex Police and to work with the Chief Constable to ensure that the force is spending public money wisely and effectively.  So, amongst other data, I regularly review sickness rates with Chief Constable Kavanagh and his senior team.

I recognise that many police officers are involved in physical work. I am also aware that sadly officers are sometimes injured in the course of duty, protecting our communities and keeping us all safe. The force must support those officers in their medical and welfare needs, and in their recovery.  If more can be done in this area, then it is something that must be looked at and considered, and I have already met with Essex Police Occupational Health.

The sickness level in the force is running at around twelve days per officer each year. Compared with many other organisations and other police forces, this is a high level. 

If we can get those levels of sickness down, through better management of the sickness process and supporting officers in their return to work, then everyone will benefit.  I have met tremendously enthusiastic officers across the force, and I have seen their professional commitment to serving the people of Essex.  When officers are off duty sick, more strain and responsibility is put on their colleagues, and the ability of the force to meet demand is challenged.   It is right that we explore if the force can manage sickness better.

With regard to the headlines you will have seen in the press, my understanding is that the Chief Constable was speaking with colleagues in the Police Federation and used an example of what would clearly be unacceptable behaviour.  No evidence has been presented to me of officers regularly taking time off because they were hungover.  If this was the case, I would expect the force to manage such a situation robustly. 

I know that Essex Police officers have high professional standards.  They often operate in teams and shifts, and if one person is off sick, there is added strain on the rest of the team.  So, where someone is genuinely sick or injured whilst on duty, the force will absolutely support them in their recovery.  On the rare occasions – which happen in all organisations – where an individual may be abusing the sickness process, Chief Constable Kavanagh is committed to ensuring that his managers take robust action.  I fully support him in that stance, and I am sure the majority of Essex Police officers also support the Chief’s position.