Police could be at risk of “corruption and financial control and coercion by criminal gangs” because they are paid so poorly, warns the man who represents Avon & Somerset rank-and-file officers. Mark Loker, chairman of the force’s Police Federation, has launched a stinging attack on the Government for showing “contempt” and “loathing” to officers, who he says are “breaking” because of the way they are treated and the fact they are in abject poverty.
In a post on Facebook, Mr Loker said policing was facing more cuts amid plans in Westminster to implement austerity measures across the public sector because of the economic crisis. He wrote: “We know we are not going to earn lots; we know we are going to be hammered mentally and physically.
“We know this but still do it anyway, it’s a vocation and long may it continue to be. But at what stage does this become economically unviable? Police salaries should not leave our officers unable to pay the bills, to afford the luxuries in life – like food, or household energy, or petrol you know, the stuff of dreams.
