23/10/2026
💬 PFEW CONFERENCE: CALL FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO OFFICER WELFARE
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) is calling for an independent investigation into officers' health and welfare during their first five years of service.
Acting deputy national chair Paul Williams issued the call at the Federation’s Annual Conference.
The 2026 Pay and Morale Survey found that officers serving between three and five years reported the lowest happiness and the highest levels of fatigue and anxiety.
Two-thirds of all police officer resignations come from officers reaching the five-year point in their careers.
Paul said PFEW had declared a public health emergency in policing, warning that the service was failing to retain officers just as they built valuable experience.
“We need urgent action to stop policing burning through its people,” Paul said.
“Half of PCs have fewer than five years’ service. Two-thirds of all officers resigning have hit the five-year point and can give no more.
“That is why PFEW is calling for an independent investigation into the health, wellbeing and welfare of officers in their first five years of service, bringing together the data and lived experience needed to put concrete measures in place to better support them.
“And we cannot look away from the gravest consequence. Nearly 20 officers each year die by su***de.
“We have fought for national recording and reporting of police su***des and su***de attempts, called for common minimum standards of wellbeing and pushed for su***de-prevention training,” he added.
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📸 Image credit: Anderson Photography