The Winsor impact on divorce settlements
In March 2011 the Winsor report was published containing 332 pages and 62 recommendations on how to reform the police service all of which were aimed at saving costs.
Whilst all officers are keen to understand the impact of the recommendations on the day to day functions of the force, there are a number which may also impact on the way in which police officers and their employment is viewed upon divorce or separation and also may affect the ability to arrange child care and contact arrangements following a relationship breakdown.
Recommendation 5 removes the need for the Police Federation to approve any changes to a Variable Shift Arragement. This could mean that whilst the Chief Constable does still have to consult on any changes, the federation no longer have the power to prevent any changes which could result in a dramatic impact on the work-life balance of officers. This may also severely impact on any arrangements that are in place for contact between the officer and any children.
Recommendations 6 and 7 both impact on an officer’s take home income which may further impact on the ability to pay any maintenance orders or fund a separated lifestyle. Recommendation 6 removes the minimum of four hours overtime being paid and officers will now only receive payment for the exact hours worked. Whilst recommendation 7 reduces the rate paid for cancelled rest days from double time to time and a half. The biggest worry with all these changes to offic’rs income is that any assessment based on the last 12 months may be grossly unfair if all the recommendations are followed and an officers take home pay is dramatically lower in forthcoming years.
The same can be said for recommendations 29 and 33 which remove the Competence Relate Threshold payments (CRTP) and the Special Priority payments (SPP) respectively.
What is very clear from the entire report and the recommendations contained within it is that the income an officer may receive, the ability to work overtime and the ability to plan and manage a work life balance may be severely affected. Not only will this be highly relevant when discussing a relationship breakdown but also for officers planning for the future and their lives in general.
