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Met's £36m sick bill
Last updated at 14:29pm on 11.04.07
'Disappointing': the number of Metropolitan Police officers off sick
Half of the Met's officers took an average of almost three weeks off sick last year, an investigation reveals today.
They were signed off suffering from conditions including stab wounds, gunshot injuries and broken legs as well as insect bites, colds and vertigo.
Today, politicians called for an inquiry into the sickness levels which cost the force £36million. But the Met said the figure indicated the increasing danger and stress faced by police officers. The average sickness rate in other jobs was seven days last year.
Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show 15,519 officers took an average of 14 days off sick.
Of the total police officer workforce, 50.36 per cent took no time off. But 2,158 were off for more than 28 days. Of those on long-term sick leave, 1,212 were off because they were injured on duty.
Members of the Metropolitan Police Authority called for an inquiry. Richard Barnes, a Tory member, said: "No company could sustain itself if half its staff were off for that amount of time. It seems incredibly disappointing."
The Met defended its record, saying the number of working days lost was lower than most other forces.
Reader views (7)
How many people commenting and voting in this poll actually have any first hand knowledge of what frontline policing entails? Many police officers taking so-called "sickies" have been assaulted on duty defending the general public from violent criminals. Many have also seen horrendous things that civilians would never want to face. Ever had to give a death message to the family of a young child? Ever been stabbed or shot at? Stress and injury in a job that most have no clue about, as well as long hours and shift work, serving the public. Do we really begrudge them sick leave?
- Huw Morgan, London, UK
An average of three weeks off sick? I work in an office with people who take more time off than that! I think our Police forces are getting enough stick without the bean-counters getting in a tizzy about this. How much more demoralised do we want them to be? I have a feeling this is all spin anyway.
- Lmd, London
The number of officers 'off sick' with injuries resulting from assaults, road accidents, industrial injuries etc, is vanishingly small compared with the overall total. Five years ago the Met set itself a target of reducing average sickness to 12 days - now they seek justify 14 days.
Police management - you couldn't make it up!
- David, Cambridge, UK
I'm confused. Didn't I read recently that only one in every 58 police actually go out on the street? Maybe neck strain and eye fatigue from all that desk work explain the amazing sick record.
- Keith Frank, Cambridge
How can you get ill from shuffling paper?
- Georgie, London
Can you blame them? They have their hands tied while dealing with a society that has no repsect for them. Time to get real and arm all officers with guns, pepper spray and tasers, maybe then people will think twice about abusing them....
- Brandon Thomas, London, UK
If I had to put up with being spat at, insulted, kicked and punched, then had to spend a day on the paperwork after arresting a thug only to see him given a few hours community service (and a free Ipod to encourage him to be good in future!), then I think I'd be taking time off sick as well.
- Nigel, London
