What we've been up to
National Workforce and Wellbeing Survey results
More than 55,000 people working in policing across England and Wales have shared what it is really like to do the job, and the new findings make clear the pressure on the workforce has not eased.
The National Police Workforce and Wellbeing Survey 2026, the largest of its kind ever conducted, was run independently by Leapwise on behalf of Oscar Kilo, the National Police Wellbeing Service.
With a record 55,602 responses – equivalent to one in five of the entire workforce – from Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers, staff, specials and volunteers from every rank and role, across 33 of the 43 regional territorial police forces across England and Wales, the survey provides the most comprehensive picture of wellbeing in policing to date.
More than half of respondents (56%) regularly feel physically exhausted, 45% regularly feel burnt out, and nearly two thirds (63%) regularly work beyond their contracted hours - rising to 72% among officers. The most commonly cited cause is consistent and clear: not enough people or cover to meet demand, and with the load falling heaviest on frontline and operational roles.
Almost half of respondents (47%) plan to stay in policing for at least three years, above all, because they enjoy the role. However, three in ten people say they may leave their force, or policing altogether, within a year - citing work-life balance, pay and benefits, or issues with leadership.
Yet the survey also reflects a workforce that believes in the job. Almost nine in ten (89%) say they have the skills and experience to do it, and a similar amount (82%) say their team works together to improve the service they provide.
Download the full national insights report
Workforce wellbeing: Where policing stands, and where we're heading
For the first time, we now have a complete national picture of wellbeing provision across policing. All 43 police forces in England and Wales have completed the National Police Wellbeing Service self-assessment and received a bespoke feedback report, giving each force a clear view of its strengths and opportunities for improvement.
The strong level of engagement is encouraging. Forces were open about both what is working well and where challenges remain, providing valuable insight that will help drive improvement across policing. The national average score was 73%, with results ranging from the mid-40s to 96%. Across the board, strong foundations are in place, particularly around governance, workforce involvement and the use of wellbeing data.
Alongside the self-assessment, the National Police Workforce and Wellbeing Survey provides an important view of how wellbeing support is experienced by officers and staff. Looking at both sets of data together helps us identify where we need to focus nationally and where there may be a gap between organisational intentions and workforce experience.
Two priority areas have emerged. The first is suicide prevention. We recently published our new guidance, Staying safe from suicide: Principles, standards and guidance, and we are encouraging all forces to review their current arrangements and continue embedding this important work.
The second is fatigue. Both the self-assessment and survey findings highlight fatigue management as one of the biggest challenges facing policing. No force has fully solved this issue, so we will be working with forces across England and Wales to carry out a national deep dive into what works. This will inform the development of a template fatigue strategy and policy, alongside a review of the tools, resources and support available. Existing resources include ResetU, our sleep, fatigue and recovery app, with further resources planned.
This year provides a valuable baseline for future improvement. The message is clear: continue building on strong foundations, embed effective suicide prevention measures, and work together to tackle fatigue across policing. We will share further updates as this work progresses.
Dementia UK and Oscar Kilo: Specialist support for policing
As part of our support for police families, Police officers and staff who are living with dementia, or supporting a loved one with the condition, can now access free specialist support through a new partnership between the National Police Wellbeing Service and Dementia UK.
Caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding, but it can also bring emotional, practical and financial challenges. For some members of the police workforce, they may also be navigating their own dementia diagnosis. Whatever your situation, support is available.
Through the Oscar Kilo website, police officers and staff can book a free, confidential one-to-one appointment with a Dementia UK Admiral Nurse. These virtual appointments offer expert guidance, emotional support and practical advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Expanding support for police staff through Op Hampshire
We continue to strengthen the support available to police staff affected by violence, aggression and abuse through our ongoing Op Hampshire work.
Following feedback and issues raised through the national Op Hampshire network, two dedicated Peer Support for Op Hampshire training sessions were delivered during August specifically for police staff representatives. Around 45 police staff colleagues took part, helping to raise awareness of Op Hampshire and develop the peer support skills needed to better assist those affected by challenging incidents in the workplace.
To help ensure this training has the greatest impact, force-level Op Hampshire leads have been linked with those who attended, enabling new knowledge and skills to be shared locally and helping colleagues access support when they need it.
This forms part of a wider programme of work aimed at ensuring police staff receive the same wraparound support as officers when they experience violence, aggression or abuse. Work is also underway with staff representative bodies to develop additional guidance and resources focused on the specific issues facing police staff colleagues. These resources will be published on the Op Hampshire website in the coming months.
Interest in the Peer Support for Op Hampshire training continues to grow, with requests being received from across policing. We are working to meet demand and reach as many colleagues as possible, helping to build a stronger network of support for those affected by violence and abuse in the workplace.
ResetU: The Podcast
Three new episodes of ResetU: The Podcast have been published. These Podcasts bring together voices from across the blue light community to explore what it really takes to stay well in high-pressure, high-impact roles.
Episode ten: Healing through horses: Unlocking the power of equine therapy for emergency services
In this episode of ResetU, we are joined by Chris Kay, Senior Research Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University's Veterans & Families Institute for Military Social Research (VFI), and Ele Milwright, whose pioneering work in equine-assisted therapies is helping transform mental health support for military personnel, veterans, police officers, and emergency service workers, including programmes with the Household Cavalry.
Episode eleven: When coping stops working: Burnout, trauma & finding your reset
What happens when you've become so good at coping that you no longer realise you're struggling?
In this episode we are joined by Hannah Bailey and former professional racing driver Tom Gaymor to explore the hidden impact of fatigue, moral injury, identity loss, and the culture of "just getting on with it."
Episode twelve: When survival isn't enough: trauma, recovery & finding purpose
What happens when simply getting through the day isn't enough anymore?
In this episode of ResetU, Andy Rhodes and Nathan Gardner are joined by Damien Isherwood and Helen Barnett for a powerful conversation about trauma, recovery, resilience, and finding purpose after difficult experiences in policing and the blue light community.
Find out more about Reset U and see if your force is signed up using the button below
Thanks to everyone who entered the Oscar Kilo Awards
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to this year's Oscar Kilo Awards.
We've received almost 100 entries from across policing, showcasing the fantastic work taking place to support workforce wellbeing in forces and organisations throughout England and Wales. The quality and range of submissions have been impressive, highlighting the commitment, innovation and dedication of those working to make a positive difference for officers and staff.
Our judging panels are now reviewing all entries across the award categories. Forces and organisations will be notified in mid-September if they have been shortlisted.
The winners will be announced at a special celebration event during the Oscar Kilo Annual Conference in October, where we'll come together to recognise and celebrate the outstanding wellbeing initiatives, individuals and teams making a real impact across policing.
Good luck to everyone who entered, and thank you again for helping to share and celebrate excellence in police wellbeing.
Coming soon
Mental Health Crisis Line to be extended to police leavers and retirees
We are delighted to announce that our Mental Health Crisis Line will soon be available to those who have previously worked in policing and have since left the service or retired.
The Crisis Line has provided vital support to serving police officers and staff experiencing a mental health crisis, ensuring access to immediate assistance from trained professionals when it is needed most. Expanding the service recognises that the impact of policing can continue long after people leave the job, and that access to timely support remains important for many former colleagues.
This development is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the wellbeing of the wider policing family and ensuring that those who have dedicated their careers to policing know where to turn in times of need.
We will be sharing further details about the expanded service, including how it can be accessed, over the coming weeks. Please look out for future updates.
Police family support
As part of our support for police families, we have pulled together, with assistance from The Ambulance Staff Charity, a comprehensive family 'toolkit'. It has been created to support partners, children, parents, close friends and family members of those who serve in the UK police service. It offers practical information, reassurance and guidance to help you understand policing life and where to turn for support when you need it.
This is currently being developed into web content which will be published next month.
WellFest virtual wellbeing festival 2026
Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Police’s award-winning Wellbeing Team are excited to be running its seventh annual virtual wellbeing festival between Monday 5 October to Friday 16 October, and have opened it open to all forces across the UK.
They have another fantastic line up this year covering all areas of wellbeing, including nutrition, physical, mental and financial health, inspiring stories and so much more.
Find out about the sessions and how to register:
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