The cost of paying suspended police officers in the UK has reached a record high of £60 million per year, with hundreds of officers barred from duty on full pay due to alleged wrongdoing. This figure represents more than £163,000 being spent daily by forces on staff who are not actively working.
The 750 officers currently on suspension are costing an average of £79,552 each, totaling nearly £1.15 million weekly. This represents an increase of £2.9 million since March 2025, despite a slight decrease in the number of suspended officers.
Several factors contribute to this rise in expenditure. Increased employer National Insurance contributions, implemented in April of the previous year, and a 4.2% pay raise awarded to officers in September have added to the financial burden. Additionally, a greater number of senior officers, who command higher salaries, are now among those suspended.
There are currently 38 inspectors and 11 chief inspectors on suspension, an increase from previous figures. These officers can earn up to £74,310 annually. While the majority of suspended officers are constables (574) and sergeants (115), four individuals holding the rank of assistant chief constable or higher are also on paid leave.
The number of suspended officers has significantly increased in recent years, rising from just 124 in 2021 and 225 in 2022, coinciding with increased efforts to address misconduct within police ranks.
The Metropolitan Police has the highest number of suspended officers, with 179, followed by Greater Manchester Police with 82, West Midlands Police with 52, Lancashire Police with 29, and Kent Police with 28.
Some disciplinary cases and their subsequent appeals can extend for years, during which suspended officers continue to receive their full salaries. In some instances, officers are allowed to return to duty, while others, if dismissed for misconduct, retain the wages and accrued pension rights they received during their suspension.
A notable case involved Detective Inspector Warren Arter of the Metropolitan Police, who was suspended for seven years, receiving approximately £400,000 in wages before his dismissal. Arter, who worked in a unit dealing with rape victims, was later found to have engaged in misconduct, including offering to supply cocaine and taking drugs at parties. He died in his prison cell at HMP Wandsworth.
The direct wages for suspended officers amounted to £40 million. On top of these salaries, forces must pay 35.3% of each salary into the police pension scheme, adding an estimated £14.1 million. Employer National Insurance contributions account for an additional £5.4 million. The total reported figure of £59.7 million is considered an underestimate, as it excludes London weighting, overtime, and other allowances.
Callum McGoldrick, investigations campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance, criticized the situation, stating that taxpayers would be