the police have lost sooo many benefits over the years which used to compensate for the poor pay and hours.
the wages look good but i lose around 30% of my pay in pension, legal cover etc. The police pension is good but we pay for it and it get changed at the drop of a hat, meaning our working years get extended / contributions increased etc
working shifts and nights actually reduces your life expectancy, but also the shifts get changed at the drop of the hat, shifts extended and no plan you ever make is solid as if the sh@t hits the fan our leave/ rest days are cancelled.
you often need a long commute for safety, police officers often get targeted if they live in their work area also their children get ostracised or targeted because of so those who live in area often have to conseal
their jobs from neighbours/ children etc
i live out of area so i don't have to do this but have a long costly commute.
we used to get help with mortgages etc to help us live in nicer areas so we don't get targeted but this stopped.
we are expected to put ourselves on duty if off duty and we see a crime happen/ vulnerable person.
Added to that the pure horror we can see and experience, with no real right solution, the stress levels can be unbearable.
so not having to que at tesco when i've had a hard day at work and can't get the images out of my head, is really appreciated.
Having the lady at aldi who let me jump the que thank me for keeping her safe, was the nicest thing that happened that week and actually made me cry.
it's not the perks it's the message that we are appreciated that means the world