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Sick leave toll of ‘burnout’ police
Hundreds of police are
taking long-term sick leave
because of illnesses including
stress.
Sussex Police officers were
off for more than 28 working
days on 266 separate occasions
last year - equivalent to one in
12 officers being ill for a stretch
of more than five weeks. Figures
released under the Freedom
of Information Act show
that 1,941 officers took up to
eight days off on 3,432
occasions and 380 took between
eight and 20 days off 428
times.
Colds and flu, stomach
upsets, back pain and undergoing
or recovering from an
operation were the main
reasons given for absences.
Overall, the number of
sick days taken was down
compared with 2006.
While no figure was available
for the amount of money
the absences have cost the tax
payer, it could run into millions
of pounds.
Inspector Brian
Stockham, chairman of
the Sussex Police Federation,
said officers
often had to deal
with death and child
abuse cases which
could lead to posttraumatic
stress
disorder. He said that on one
occasion a psychologist told
him a fellow officer had the
"worst case of psychological
burnout that they had ever
seen".
He said: "The public have to
accept that this is part of what
we do."
The force warned that the
figures may be artificially
inflated as some officers could
have reported sick more than
once and in different categories.
Individuals would also have
been counted twice where
their period of sickness covered
more than one calendar
year.
Under sick pay regulations,
police officers are entitled to six
months' absence on full pay in
any 12-month period and half
pay for the second period of six
months.
The continuous absence pay
ends after 12 months.
The figures do not differentiate
sickness absences from
those resulting from an injury
while on duty.
But separate data also
released to The Argus shows
that officers suffered 788 violent
attacks last year.
Between April 2004 and April
2007 there were more than
2,500 separate assaults on officers.
Insp Stockham said: "It is
encouraging to see that the
number of sick days as a whole
is reducing because it shows
that the workforce is predominantly
healthy and getting
back to work quicker.
"It is a tribute to our occupational
therapy and welfare
people. They are worth their
weight in gold."
Insp Stockham said Sussex
Police had been "performing
miracles" by reducing crime
rates across the county and
detecting more crimes than
ever.
sam.underwood@theargus.co.uk
Should the police have better protection? Join the debate below.
10:30am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Retired Copper, Sussex on 11:51am Thu 27 Mar 08
As a former, now retired police officer, the use of 'post traumatic stress' as a reason for sickness is overplayed - I dealt with some horrific events - I knew I would have too when I joined and that is what I was paid for!
As a former, now retired police officer, the use of 'post traumatic stress' as a reason for sickness is overplayed - I dealt with some horrific events - I knew I would have too when I joined and that is what I was paid for!
Posted by: Mr B, Arundel on 11:59am Thu 27 Mar 08
I think I would be off sick with stress with all the Freedom of Information requests that the Argus put in to Sussex Police - each one can cost (us the taxpayer) up to £450 to process. But of course, it's a cheap way of getting a story....
I think I would be off sick with stress with all the Freedom of Information requests that the Argus put in to Sussex Police - each one can cost (us the taxpayer) up to £450 to process. But of course, it's a cheap way of getting a story....
Posted by: Sicknote on 1:02pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Can you tell us how many Argus reporters go off sick, and their reasons behind it? I'm want to make a pointless story using the Freedom of Information Act.
Can you tell us how many Argus reporters go off sick, and their reasons behind it? I'm want to make a pointless story using the Freedom of Information Act.
Posted by: Ian, Sussex on 5:45pm Thu 27 Mar 08
There are undoubtedly some cases of police officers having more time off than they should for spurious reasons and I agree with 'Retired Copper' above.
However, one day, perhaps the truth will be revealed about the way Sussex Police treats some of it's officers.
They ignore medical conditions and often place officers with illness or disability in roles that are not appropriate, even when they are requested by the officer's GP to reconsider their decision.
Bear in mind that things are not always as they appear and management, human resources and administrative incompetence plays a part in this case.
There are undoubtedly some cases of police officers having more time off than they should for spurious reasons and I agree with 'Retired Copper' above.
However, one day, perhaps the truth will be revealed about the way Sussex Police treats some of it's officers.
They ignore medical conditions and often place officers with illness or disability in roles that are not appropriate, even when they are requested by the officer's GP to reconsider their decision.
Bear in mind that things are not always as they appear and management, human resources and administrative incompetence plays a part in this case.
Posted by: Taxpayer, Eastbourne on 4:14am Fri 28 Mar 08
Why did they join in the first place if they can't hack it ?
It's costing us megabucks.
The Army has to handle
far worse scenarios but they don't throw
sickies
Why did they join in the first place if they can't hack it ?
It's costing us megabucks.
The Army has to handle
far worse scenarios but they don't throw
sickies
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