Constabulary members have the opportunity to have their say later this month on what should be on the table for next year’s pay negotiations – and how far they’re prepared to go to help achieve it.

The Police Association will email constabulary members on November 24 with a link to a survey designed to guide both the 2026 pay round claims and any associated campaign activity. Members will have two weeks to complete the survey, which should takes about 10 minutes.

“The aim is to be well informed for bargaining – to know what members are willing to do, what their priorities are, and how badly they want them,” National secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

“The survey is in three parts,” she says. “The first asks what they want us to be asking for at the bargaining table; the second part is about what members are willing to do if action is required to support the strength of our side of bargaining; and the third part is about their experience of work.”

The association wants clear direction from members on what matters most when negotiators sit down with Police next year. Questions include ranking potential claims such as cost-of-living pay rises, faster progression through pay bands, improved fatigue protections, better mental health support and clearer employment investigation processes.

Members are also invited to say what they would change about their terms and conditions and to identify the top three issues that would make the biggest difference in their working lives.

Gauging support for action

Because police officers cannot strike, the survey also seeks views on alternative collective actions to help apply pressure during bargaining. Options range from handing out flyers and wearing campaign badges to more visible displays such as marches on days off, community meetings about police pay and staffing, or refusing overtime on nominated weekends.

“The results will help the association plan a campaign that raises the public’s knowledge of, and support for, a safe and fully staffed constabulary that can recruit and retain the best people through decent salaries and allowances,” Erin says.

Members can also opt to be contacted about their ideas. “If someone has a really amazing suggestion, I want to be able to give them a call,” Erin says.

Broader insight into wellbeing

The final section of the survey asks about members’ experiences at work, such as what keeps them in the job, whether they’ve considered leaving and how understaffing affects them. It also seeks views on communication preferences during bargaining.

Erin stresses that the results will not be shared with members or publicly but will directly inform the association’s bargaining strategy. She expects to start analysing the responses from early January.

To encourage participation, members who complete the survey will go into a draw for prizes including a Microsoft Surface Pro and Police Welfare Fund Holiday Home vouchers.

The association’s board will review the survey findings, ahead of finalising its 2026 pay campaign.