Sussex Police Workforce
The table below summarises the Sussex Police workforce numbers – police officer, police staff and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) – as at 31 March for each year (unless otherwise stated).
|
Year |
Police Officers |
Police Staff |
PCSOs |
|
*2021 |
2,811 |
2,234 |
297 |
|
2020 |
2,717 |
2,132 |
294 |
|
2019 |
2,629 |
1,938 |
216 |
|
2018 |
2,549 |
1,796 |
203 |
|
2017 |
2,587 |
1,831 |
180 |
|
2016 |
2,666 |
1,831 |
249 |
|
2015 |
2,810 |
1,837 |
325 |
|
2014 |
2,805 |
1,941 |
349 |
|
2013 |
2,847 |
1,911 |
358 |
|
2012 |
2,959 |
1,881 |
335 |
* as at 28 February 2021
All of figures relate to Full Time Equivalent (FTE).
Source: Home Office – Police workforce, England and Wales
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between headcount and full-time equivalent (FTE)?
Headcount means the actual number of individuals. It factors one individual as one number – any attributes or distinctions of the individual, including full-time or part-time workers for example, are not considered.
FTE is a more specific way of counting a workforce because instead of individual people it counts the number of people based on hours worked. For example, two individuals, one working full-time and the other working part-time (0.5 FTE) would count as 1.5 FTE.
The FTE will be lower than the headcount because it takes into consideration the hours of the police workforce rather than just the number of individuals.
How is recruitment undertaken in Sussex?
Sussex Police recruit more police officers and PCSOs than are required in order to deliver any planned increases in policing resources. This approach ensures that any increases to the workforce can be delivered, whilst simultaneously replacing those officers or PCSOs scheduled to leave the organisation through retirement, transfer, resignation or otherwise.
For example, in order to deliver a net increase of 179 police officers during 2020/21, Sussex Police recruited an additional 330 officers. This ensured that the planned increases in policing resources were delivered and replaced the officers who left the Force during the year too.
The recruitment of police staff is different and is undertaken as and when vacancies are identified, or new posts created.
Are Sussex Police recruiting at present?
Further information about working for Sussex Police – either as a police officer, member of police staff, PCSO or volunteer – can be viewed by clicking on this link.
Where can I find more information about workforce statistics?
Further information about the police workforce statistics for England and Wales can be viewed by clicking on this link.