"Retention crisis" at GMP as student cops quit

The head of the Greater Manchester Police Federation (GMPF) said the force is in the depths of a “retention crisis” after 9,000 cops quit across the country.

Mike Peake, the organisation’s Chair, claimed almost one-third of GMP’s student police officers left to take up ‘less risky’ jobs in the year ending March 2023. 

Evidence from the How Effectively Police Investigate Crime report by the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services points to constables having a 32% higher workload than a decade ago, with some saying their caseloads are unmanageable. 

Mr Peake said: “The demands that a police force the size of GMP has to deal with is huge, and whilst it has over 8,100 police officers that simply isn’t enough to service that demand.  

“GMP officers are having to try and carry out the additional work of others as many departments are understaffed as police chiefs try and balance thrifty budgets.  

“Current retention figures are concerning as around 31.5 per cent of student officers are leaving GMP to find alternative careers that carry far less risk for the same or more money, and many experienced officers are looking for an exit strategy.  

“To achieve the necessary support that is needed to take the ongoing pressure off our hard-working officers' retention and experience in GMP is key.” 

The Federation insists these issues are undermining public safety with investigations delayed, evidence missed and victims being let down. 

It also claims positive outcomes are down from 25% ten years ago to just 11% in the most recent figures in 2024. 

Absences due to stress-related illnesses are also on the rise in GMP, with an “unsustainable” level of burnout among officers. 

Meanwhile, the GMPF has put its weight behind a new campaign from its Hampshire counterpart. 

STEP – Suicide Trauma Education Prevention – aims to raise awareness of the trauma that police face in their daily duties. 

Many of the more than 300 former and serving officers who took their lives between 2011 and 2024 had experienced incidents where members of the public had killed themselves. 

The campaign wants to introduce mandatory Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) session for every officer who attends a suicide. 

Mr Peake said: “Nationally, police suicide numbers are rising, which cannot be allowed to continue.  

“I am pleased that Greater Manchester Police Federation is continuing to work with the force in establishing a fit-for-purpose TRiM process that all officers and staff can access when needed, and to ensure that officers who find themselves under investigation receive the right level of support. 

“Due to the stressful nature of the job, police officers witness some horrific sights.  

“It is important to remember that we are human beings with feelings and emotions, yet there are some out there who expect us to be robots – this culture needs to change.”