Sir, As a physiotherapist and public-sector worker, I welcome the review of police pay (report, Mar 9). For too long there has been an inequality in pay and pension between healthcare and the police force.
I have been to university and completed significant postgraduate training for the past 12 years to become a clinical specialist in my field. My maximum pay is £34,000. After 45 years’ service I can retire on just under half my salary. A police constable (the lowest grade of officer) with no university degree has an earning potential of £36,500, and after 30 years can retire on 100 per cent of his or her final salary.
My job is physically and emotionally demanding, as is that of nurses, yet we have to work for another 15 years for a much smaller pension of half the size. Police pay and pensions need serious review, not healthcare.
Katy Mitchell
Salisbury, Wilts
Sir, One joins an army to fight. As a consequence you accept that you will potentially face danger, injury or death. Your pension is non-contributory and the Government lauds you.
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One joins the police to serve the public. You also face danger and injury and, in extreme circumstances, death. You pay the highest pension contributions in the land, see your conditions of service eroded, and the Government does everything it can to undermine and undervalue you.
How hypocritical is that?
Jeff Brown
Chief Inspector, Lancashire Police