Police Allowances
Explained (Complete UK Guide)
What allowances do police officers receive?
Police officers may receive additional payments beyond their basic
salary depending on location, role, skills, operational demand or
deployment status.
Trust Notice: Independent explanatory guidance based on Police Regulations 2003 and publicly available force policies. Not affiliated with any police force or staff association.
At A Glance
Police Allowances At A Glance
- Location allowances compensate for cost of living
- Operational allowances compensate for availability or hardship
- Specialist allowances compensate for additional duty
- Most allowances are taxable and not pensionable (London Weighting is the exception)
- Allowances are separate from overtime pay
- Many payments vary significantly by force
Section 1 – Location Allowances
London Weighting & London Allowance
Designed to compensate for the significantly higher cost of living in the capital. Two payments sit on top of base pay in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police: London Weighting (£3,260 from 1 September 2026, up from £3,150 in 2025/26) and London Allowance (£6,819 from 1 September 2026, up from a maximum of £6,588 in 2025/26). Together that is £10,079 a year. The Met pays the maximum London Allowance to all officers up to chief superintendent, and City of London Police matches it.
South East Allowance
A retention tool for forces bordering London to offset migration to the Met. There are two tiers: £3,105 a year (from 1 September 2026) in Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey and Thames Valley, and £2,070 in Bedfordshire, Hampshire and Sussex. The 2025/26 values were £3,000 and £2,000.
| Allowance | Who gets it | 2025/26 | From 1 Sept 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Weighting | Metropolitan Police, City of London Police | £3,150 | £3,260 |
| London Allowance (maximum) | Met and City officers up to chief superintendent | £6,588 | £6,819 |
| Met / City combined London uplift | Both together, on top of base pay | £9,738 | £10,079 |
| South East Allowance (higher tier) | Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Thames Valley | £3,000 | £3,105 |
| South East Allowance (lower tier) | Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Sussex | £2,000 | £2,070 |
2025/26 figures are from the Police Remuneration Review Body 11th report and the Met Federation 2025/26 pay guide. The September 2026 figures apply the Government's 3.5% uplift to London Weighting and the maximum London and South East Allowances.
Regional Retention Allowances
Beyond London and the South East, some forces pay remote location supplements or hard-to-recruit area payments. These are entirely force-dependent and can apply to island forces or very rural deployments where recruitment is difficult.
Section 2 – Vehicle & Travel
Essential Car User Allowance
This is paid where an officer is required to use their personal vehicle regularly for duty. It is not just about mileage; it compensations for the availability and wear-and-tear of the vehicle.
- Annual lump sum (paid monthly) + lower mileage rate.
- Requires specific business insurance (often Force-approved).
- Paid regardless of whether mileage is claimed in a specific month.
Casual Car User
No annual lump sum. Paid strictly per-mile for authorized journeys, typically at HMRC standard rates (currently 45p/mile for first 10,000 miles).
Motor Vehicle User Status
To receive these allowances, an officer must be formally classed as an authorized vehicle user by their force administration.
Section 3 – Operational & Specialist
Dog Handler
Compensates for 24/7 animal care and kennel responsibility at home.
Firearms / ARV
No universal national allowance, but some forces pay retention supplements.
PSU / Public Order
Hardship and subsistence payments during extended disorder deployments.
Mounted Branch
Stable responsibility and animal care obligations beyond standard shift.
Marine / Underwater
Specialist skill retention payments and dive-specific supplements.
Tutor Constable
Recognition payment for mentoring student officers (force specific).
Section 4 – Availability & Recall
On-Call Allowance
Paid for being available to return to duty. This is separate from any overtime earned if you are actually called in. While the rate is set, its pensionability varies by force policy but is typically non-pensionable.
Recall to Duty
When called back while off-duty, officers are often guaranteed a minimum number of hours paid at enhanced rates (e.g., time and a half). This interacts with standard overtime multipliers.
Court Attendance Payments
Compensation for court attendance on rest days includes minimum time guarantees. This differs from simple voluntary overtime as it represents a disruption of mandated rest.
Section 5 – Hardship & Deployment
Hardship Allowance
Paid during extended disorder operations or major events where standard accommodation is unavailable.
Temporary Duty (TDA)
Paid when deployed away from home force. Covers accommodation and subsistence; technically an expense reimbursement.
Subsistence
Meal and overnight allowances. These are distinct from salary and usually non-taxable if they meet HMRC expense criteria.
Acting & Temporary Rank Pay
Performing higher duties triggers extra pay once a qualifying period (usually 28 days) is met. Temporary promotion pay is typically paid at the lowest pay point of the higher rank.
Read Full Acting Up GuideWhile Received
Education & Entry Routes
PCDA Funding
Under the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, university tuition is covered by the force. There is no separate "student allowance" as officers receive a full starting salary while studying.
DHEP Route
The Degree Holder Entry Programme often attracts a slightly higher starting salary in some forces, reflecting existing qualifications, though the core allowance structure remains identical.
Pensionability Comparison
| Allowance Type | Frequency | Pensionable? |
|---|---|---|
| London Weighting | Monthly | Yes |
| South East Allowance | Monthly | Yes |
| Dog Handler Allowance | Monthly | Yes |
| Acting Up Pay | While Received | Yes |
| On-Call Allowance | Per Event | Typically No |
| Hardship Allowance | Per Night | No |
| Mileage / Fuel | Per Claim | No |
Verification via monthly payslip codes is always recommended.
Tax Treatment
Most police allowances are treated as taxable income. This means they are added to your basic salary before Income Tax and National Insurance are calculated.
Taxable Payments
London weighting, SE allowance, on-call, dog handler, firearms supplements.
Exempt Expenses
Specific travel reimbursements, subsistence (within HMRC limits), and professional tool allowances.
What Police Do NOT Get
Myth Check
No Danger Pay
There is no national 'risk' or 'danger' allowance in the UK.
Myth Check
No automatic firearms pay
Most firearms officers perform the role for no additional pay.
Myth Check
No national detective pay
Investigators receive the same basic salary as uniform colleagues.
Myth Check
No universal shift pay
Anti-social hours are part of the core job, not a separate line item.
Hidden Allowances People Forget
Frequently Asked Questions
Exhaustive guide to common police allowance queries.
• What is the Essential Car User allowance for police?
The Essential Car User allowance is an annual lump sum paid to officers who are required to use their personal vehicle for duty. It is typically accompanied by a specific mileage rate and often requires business insurance coverage.
• How much is police mileage reimbursement?
Mileage rates vary by force but generally follow HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP) or local force policy for 'Casual Car Users'. Rates differ for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.
• Are police allowances pensionable?
Very few. Under the Police Pension Scheme 2015, basic salary, London Weighting, higher pay on temporary promotion and temporary salary count as pensionable earnings; allowances do not (source: the Home Office Police Pension Scheme 2015 Member's Guide). So London Weighting is pensionable, but the London Allowance, South East Allowance, dog handler and on-call allowances are not.
• Are police allowances taxed?
Most police allowances are considered taxable income and are subject to Income Tax and National Insurance. However, specific expense reimbursements (like certain travel or subsistence) may be exempt if they meet HMRC criteria.
• Do police officers get danger pay in the UK?
No. There is no universal 'danger pay' or 'risk allowance' in UK policing. The risk is considered part of the core role and is reflected in the basic pay scales.
• Is the Dog Handler allowance pensionable?
No. Under the Police Pension Scheme 2015 only basic salary, London Weighting, higher pay on temporary promotion and temporary salary are pensionable earnings; allowances such as the Dog Handler allowance are not pensionable.
• Is London Weighting part of basic salary?
In effect, yes. Annex F of the Police Regulations 2003 increases the annual pay of Met and City of London officers by the London Weighting amount, so it is pay rather than an allowance and it is pensionable. It is shown separately from basic salary on payslips. The London Allowance is a separate allowance and is not pensionable.
• Is the police On-Call allowance pensionable?
Generally, the On-Call allowance is not pensionable, as it is considered an operational payment for availability rather than part of the core salary.
• Do detectives get paid more than uniform officers?
There is no national 'detective allowance'. While some forces have offered temporary retention bonuses for detectives, their basic pay scale is the same as uniform officers of the same rank.
• Are allowances included when calculating overtime rates?
No. Overtime is calculated based on an officer's hourly rate derived from their basic salary. Allowances are typically excluded from this calculation.
• What is the Police Hardship Allowance?
The Hardship Allowance (typically £30 per night) is paid to officers deployed away from home in difficult conditions, such as during major public order events where standard accommodation is unavailable.
• What is a subsistence allowance?
Subsistence allowances are payments intended to cover the cost of meals when an officer is working away from their normal station or on an extended deployment.
• How do I know which allowances I am receiving?
All allowances should be clearly itemized on your monthly payslip. If you are unsure, you should contact your force payroll department or federation representative.
• How much are London Weighting, London Allowance and South East Allowance?
From 1 September 2026 London Weighting is £3,260 and the maximum London Allowance is £6,819, a combined £10,079 a year on top of base pay in the Met and City of London Police (in 2025/26 it was £3,150 plus £6,588). South East Allowance is £3,105 in Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey and Thames Valley, and £2,070 in Bedfordshire, Hampshire and Sussex (2025/26: £3,000 and £2,000).
• Are all police allowances national?
While some allowances (like Dog Handler) are national, many (like London Weighting or South East Allowance) are regional. Others are entirely force-specific internal policies.
• Can police allowances be removed?
Yes. Allowances can be removed if the officer no longer meets the qualifying criteria (e.g., leaving a specialist role or moving force). National changes to Police Regulations can also amend or remove allowances.
Related Resources
Police Pay Scales
Current basic salary points for all UK ranks.
Salary Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay including allowances.
Overtime Calculator
Model your earnings for extra duty and rest days.
Acting Up Guide
Full details on higher rank pay thresholds.
Police Pension Hub
Central guide to all police pension matters.
Real Terms Pay Guide
Analysis of pay trends and purchasing power.