The push for fairer constabulary pay is shaping as a collective effort that will rely as much on members’ voices as it will on formal bargaining, says Police Association president Steve Watt.

As preparations ramp up ahead of negotiations starting in May, the association is urging members to actively engage in a campaign designed to put pressure on decision-makers and highlight the realities of frontline policing.

It simply asks Police, the Public Service Commission and the Government to “Repay the Risk”.

That message is core to this year’s approach – a strategy that blends traditional bargaining with a visible, member-driven campaign aimed at politicians and the public.

“The members are the association and it takes a team effort to make change for the better,” Steve says. “We want to build political pressure early, particularly on the funding envelope that will ultimately shape what is achievable at the bargaining table.”

No risk in having say

Rather than relying solely on formal submissions and seats at the bargaining table, the association is asking members to step forward.

The goal is for them to paint a clear picture of the pressures facing police – not just in terms of workload and financial strain but also the overwhelming number of risks that come with the job.

“We want politicians and the public to understand what it’s like out there and to get a feel for the economic hardship and risks faced, both physical and psychological,” Steve says.

That emphasis on lived experience underpins the “Repay the Risk” campaign messaging that will run alongside the bargaining process.

A key plank of the strategy is direct engagement with politicians across the spectrum, with members encouraged to meet with their local MPs and make their case on “hazard yellow” and blue campaign
postcards.

“We want everyone to get involved and to tell their story… a collective, powerful voice speaking up about the reality of how bad things can get out there,” association national secretary Erin Polaczuk says. “Go to your MP, no matter their political party, whether a minister, a prominent MP or a backbencher; they all have influence,” Erin says.

“We want MPs to put pressure on Treasury to give us a decent envelope that repays the risk every one of our members takes.”

That focus reflects an understanding that while negotiations occur between Police and the association, the parameters are heavily influenced by Government funding decisions.

True blue representation

The constabulary pay round campaign is being supported by a network of representatives across districts, with each area committee having at least one designated campaign co-ordinator.

The structure is designed to keep communication flowing both ways – from the association to members, and from members back to the negotiating team.

It also reinforces the broader theme of collective action, with the campaign relying on widespread participation rather than top-down direction alone.

In addition to meetings and storytelling, the campaign will include visible elements aimed at reinforcing its message.

Coming next will be Repay the Risk wristbands and stickers.

These tools are intended to keep the issue front of mind – within policing and in the political and public arena – as bargaining and the expiry of the Constabulary Collective Employment Agreement approach. They also provide simple, accessible ways for members to take part, regardless of their role or location.

Ready, set… Bargaining

Alongside the outward-facing campaign, there is also a strong internal focus on ensuring members fully understand the bargaining process and feel confident engaging with it.

“Some members have misunderstood aspects of past negotiations, especially final offer arbitration,” Steve says. “To alleviate that, a series of webinars will be held in April in preparation for the start of bargaining in May.”

Those sessions are expected to cover how the process works, what members can expect, and how different outcomes are determined – particularly if negotiations reach an impasse. 

The aim is to demystify the process and ensure members are informed participants rather than passive observers.

While the campaign is gathering momentum, Steve says the association recognises that achieving a meaningful pay outcome will not be straightforward.

The emphasis on early engagement – particularly with MPs and Treasury – reflects lessons from previous rounds, where funding constraints have shaped the final deal.

By mobilising members now, the association is seeking to influence those constraints before negotiations formally begin.

At the same time, the approach signals a broader shift towards a more public-facing style of advocacy, where the realities of policing are put front and centre. 

For Steve, the success of the campaign ultimately comes down to how many members are willing to take part and see the risks they take repaid: “The members are the association,” he says again.