PCC statement on Essex Police sickness levels

Since becoming Police and Crime Commissioner, I have been scrutinising all aspects of Essex Police performance.  Early on, I identified sickness levels as a matter of concern.

The figures show that in 2009-10, for police officers, an average of 7.68 duty days per year was lost to sickness.  By 2012-13, this had risen to 12.10 duty days, and stayed at a level of over 12 days per officer during 2013-14.

The impact of reported anxiety, depression and stress is also clear in the figures.  In 2009-10, when there were more officers than now, 5,132 duty days were lost to anxiety, depression or stress.  By 2012-13, this figure had doubled to 10,521.  In 2013-14, the number of police officer duty days lost to anxiety, depression or stress was 11,238, or over 3 days per officer. This figure is worryingly high.  Clearly, the root causes of this increase must be properly understood and managed, with officer welfare at the heart of everything that is done.

The most significant increase in duty days lost occurred in the run-up to and during  the major Essex Police organisational restructure known as Blueprint, between 2011 and 2013.  All organisations need to examine how they operate, to see if alternative models might be more effective and efficient.  I do not criticise Essex Police for exploring the implementation of a “functional” policing model, with more centralised control and tasking of officers, PCSOs and staff.   It is to the credit of Essex Police that the Blueprint model was kept under constant review by the then Chief Constable. Chief Constable Kavanagh has now made the decision to return the force to a model with more local supervision and control of policing resources at its heart.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I welcome the local policing plans being implemented under the Essex Police Evolve programme.  I also believe that the return to more local supervision and local control, which is broadly welcomed by officers, PCSOs and police staff, will help reduce the levels of stress experienced.  I have confidence that Chief Constable Kavanagh and his Chief Officer team will lead and manage these changes with the greatest possible professionalism.

There are other factors to consider too.  It is always the case that police forces will face critical incidents, calling for an exceptional response.  The recent murders in Colchester have understandably, and entirely correctly, placed significant strain on Essex Police.  Police officers, PCSOs and police staff have responded with great professionalism, regularly working long shifts, back to back, day after day.  They have my respect and thanks, and I’m sure the respect and thanks of everyone in our communities.

Sadly, also, officers are sometimes injured in the course of duty, protecting our communities and keeping us all safe. Some have carried out extraordinary acts of courage and have found themselves assaulted and hurt in the execution of their duty, and I am assured that these officers receive all the support that the force is able to extend to them.  That support must include medical and welfare needs in their recovery.

It is my judgement that over the past few years, cost-cutting measures went too far in the area of occupational health and access to physiotherapy services.  I know that the Chief Constable and his senior team are working to increase the support available to injured officers.  

I expect the force to continue to manage police officer and staff sickness with genuine compassion, professional support and careful supervision.  Whilst ensuring that the health and welfare of everyone working for Essex Police is at the heart of this process, I also expect the number of days lost to sickness to reduce as the Chief Constable leads the force forward.

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex Police

 

Detailed figures can be seen in the tables below.

 

Essex Police Officer Sickness – Total Duty Days Lost:

2013/2014	2012/2013	2011/2012	2010/2011	2009/2010
41251.69	41409.46	36038.64	31470.04	27654.39

 

Days Lost per person – Essex Police Officers:
Financial Year	Headcount 01/04/13	Headcount 31/03/14	Average Headcount	Days Lost	Days Lost Per Person
2013/2014	3377	3280	3329	41251.69	12.39
Financial Year	Headcount 01/04/12	Headcount 31/03/13	Average Headcount	Days Lost	Days Lost Per Person
2012/2013	3459	3388	3424	41409.46	12.10
Financial Year	Headcount 01/04/11	Headcount 31/03/12	Average Headcount	Days Lost	Days Lost Per Person
2011/2012	3634	3464	3549	36038.64	10.15
Financial Year	Headcount 01/04/10	Headcount 31/03/11	Average Headcount	Days Lost	Days Lost Per Person
2010/2011	3660	3634	3647	31470.04	8.63
Financial Year	Headcount 01/04/09	Headcount 31/03/10	Average Headcount	Days Lost	Days Lost Per Person
2009/2010	3537	3662	3600	27654.39	7.68

 

Total of Duty Days Lost for Police Officers who took sickness leave  for the reasons of Anxiety, Depression, Stress:
2009/10 (01/04/2009-31/03/2010)
	Reason for Sickness	Total
	Anxiety	540.62
	Depression	1965.28
	Stress	2626.28
	Total	5132.18
2010/11 (01/04/2010-31/03/2011)
	Reason for Sickness	Total
	Anxiety	1100.70
	Depression	2587.92
	Stress	2946.45
	Total	6635.08
2011/12 (01/04/2011-31/03/2012)
	Reason for Sickness	Total
	Anxiety	760.99
	Depression	2359.92
	Stress	4774.17
	Total	7895.08
2012/13 (01/04/2012-31/03/2013)
	Reason for Sickness	Total
	Anxiety	1506.24
	Depression	2090.18
	Stress	6925.57
	Total	10521.99
2013/14 (01/04/2013-31/03/2014)
	Reason for Sickness	Total
	Anxiety	1517.73
	Depression	2661.25
	Stress	7059.08
	Total	11238.06

 

Total number of duty days lost to Sickness for Staff including PCSOs in the following years:
Financial year	Total
2009/10	29576
2010/11	28410
2011/12	26840
2012/13	26433
2013/14	23987