Cash-strapped police officers forced to take second jobs as plumbers and plasterers

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 06:51 EST, 11 August 2008

Cash-strapped police officers are moonlighting as party organisers, plumbers and plasterers to earn more money.

Hundreds of hard-up PCs are working extra hours in a range of professions.

Among officers at Northumbria Police are three football referees, an artist, a  mechanic and even a massage therapist.

Moonlighting: Hundreds of PCs are having to take second jobs after disappointing pay rises

One constable is a part-time overseas property salesman, another is a diver,  alongside three nurses and nine photographers.

Two constables are working as plasterers and one as a plumber, while seven more  are electricians.

There are also 25 constables listed as working in 'retail'.

The data, released under the Freedom of Information Act, comes after police pay  rise negotiations broke down, with the government's offer of 2.3 per cent falling short of an offer of 3.5 per cent.

Police said the refusal, which comes after last year's rise of 1.9 per cent could lead to threats of industrial action, including strikes.

Russ Watson, chairman of the Northumbria Police Federation, said: 'It's a grave  concern to us that officers are taking these extra jobs, but it comes as no surprise.

'Police officers are finding it very difficult to make ends meet. It's difficult for them to manage two jobs but with the insulting pay rise we had last year it's inevitable.'  Mr Watson said pay negotiations are now likely to go to Acas, the dispute resolution service.

Durham Constabulary has a paragliding instructor and a motorcycle tour guide in its ranks, as well as a private investigator and beauty therapist.

In total, 455 police officers have declared outside business interests to their bosses across the two forces.

The starting salary for a police officer is £21,009, rising to £23,454 on  completion of initial training.

Senior officers from the two police forces said second jobs are closely monitored to make sure there is no conflict of interest with officers' policing responsibilities.

Chief Inspector Graham Rankin, senior personnel manager at Durham Constabulary,  said: 'The main issue is that there isn't a conflict of interest in what the  police do. We have to make sure that is not a burden and that it does not interfere with their time.

'The jobs like garden designer and other things where they have a degree of skill, they are just doing it to cover their backs and earn a bit of extra money.'  Chief Superintendent Graham Davis, of Northumbria Police, said: 'I am confident that we  strike the right balance between officers undertaking activities in their own time while not impacting on their role as a police officer.'

OCCUPATIONS POLICE OFFICERS ARE TAKING UP:

• Artist
• Author
• Battlefield touring
  
• Catering
  
• Dancing
  
• Diving
  
• Electrician
• Farmer
• Hairdresser
• Massage therapist
• Mechanic
  
• Mountain Rescue
  
• Motorcycle instructor
  
• Nursing
  
• Overseas property sales
  
• Party organiser
  
• Photographer
  
• Plasterer
  
• Plumber
  
• Private investigation
  
• Referee