Third of top earners made to leave Staffordshire Police
Almost a third of Staffordshire Police's highest-earning officers and staff were stripped from the ranks through forced retirement in just a year, it emerged today.
The number of employees paid more than £50,000-a-year was slashed from 215 in 2010/11 to 153 in 2011/12 – a reduction of 29 per cent. Officers with more than 30 years service are being forced to retire to save millions.
The vast majority of posts were cut in lower wage bands, with the number of workers earning between £50,000 and £54,999 down by 37 to 69. A further 24 people paid between £55,000 and £64,999 also left in the 12-month period.
County councillor Ian Parry, a member of Staffordshire Police Authority, said falling crime figures showed the force was coping despite losing manpower. Crime fell by 5,000 offences – seven per cent – in the last 12 months.
"What this demonstrates is that over time the public sector has become over-managed in many respects, and addressing that isn't a bad thing, crime is still coming down," he said. "This is all part of restructuring.
"There is quite a hierarchy of posts in the police and the question we have to ask ourselves is, 'do we need that level or number of senior jobs?' As long as they continue to provide the level of service that we want, that is what matters."
Staffordshire Police is trying to slash officer numbers from 2,100 to 1,800 by 2015. It needs to make £38m of cuts over four years.
It also emerged today the force's top brass took home smaller pay packets last year. Excluding pension contributions, Chief Constable Mike Cunningham received £142,662, down from £150,295 in 2010/11.
