West Yorkshire Police Commissioner announces maximum starting salary of £22k for new recruits

14 new officers, who are starting their training this week, will be paid the revised amount following a decision by PCC Mark Burns-Williamson, pictured below, to oppose the lower starting salary of £19,000 which formed part of the Winsor Review into police pay and conditions.

Under the new starting salary pay scale, which was introduced by the Home Secretary earlier this year following recommendations by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor, forces’ across England and Wales have discretion to pay new recruits between £19,000 and £22,000 per annum dependent upon experience and the policing needs of the area.

A further 30 officers, who are due to begin their training in November, will be paid £22,221. This will follow a one percent pay rise across the ranks due to come into force in September.

PCC Mark Burns-Williams said: “In West Yorkshire we have outstanding and committed police officers, many of which I have had the privilege of speaking to and seeing the work they are achieving. I believe the best way to ensure we continue to attract high calibre candidates is to pay people accordingly.

“The new starting salary pay scale, which have been introduced nationally by the Home Secretary following a review by Tom Winsor, are at a lower level than previously but this was broadly to be expected and is in line with government cuts we’ve seen to policing.

“While we are continuing to work hard to make the savings we need to we are determined to protect front line policing and provide the people of West Yorkshire with the best police service we can afford.

“Recruiting high quality candidates that are representative of the diverse communities we serve is the best way to ensure the people of West Yorkshire feel safer and are safer.”

Deputy Chief Constable Jawaid Akhtar said: “I welcome the support of the Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson for our police officers. I am pleased at the agreement by Mr Burns-Williamson to pay the starting salary of £22,000 for new recruits, 14 of whom have started their training this week. Paying at the top of the salary band helps to make sure we remain in a position to recruit talented individuals to become part of West Yorkshire Police and keep our communities safe.”

In the latest recruitment period over 384 applicants applied to become one of 44 new police officers.