New policy requires manager approval for vacations May 31-Sept 1 due to staffing concerns from increased officer leave.
This change impacts officer vacation requests. You can’t use the Self-Service system right now. Resource managers will review requests booked during this time. This happened when a report showed many officers leave.
The report mentions “anxiety, stress and burnout”. Thirty-seven people leave Thames Valley Police monthly. The staff association, TVP Federation, talked to the police.
The police force didn’t have to change their decision. Gary Bishop is the federation secretary. Gary said police must resource regular policing and special events.
He stated they knew the Self-Service system would be off briefly. Police wanted to assess needed staff. This isn’t a leave ban, he adds. Bishop thinks the system shut-off is serious, but common too.
Keeping enough staff on duty takes priority. This can outweigh individual plans sometimes. The TVP consulted the Federation about this change.
The force has the right to turn off Self-Service, Bishop stated. The Federation shared police officer concerns with them. They wanted the change to last the shortest time possible.
Conversations suggest things will return to normal soon. Officers should get 90 days’ notice for duty changes. Bishop also prefers planning now over canceling leave later.
The force listened, but didn’t have to change its plan. Bishop thinks clearer messaging could help officers. Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray also commented on this.
Officers can still request leave, but need approval. Automated booking is temporarily off. He also stresses they assess things for officer well-being. Plus, the force needs to plan for a busy summer. Murray added that this change doesn’t affect approved leave.