Police Workforce
Statistics 2025
Full detailed breakdown of the 31 March 2025 national dataset. Officer numbers, resignations, retention and experience trends explained.
Executive Summary
The Police Workforce Statistics for 31 March 2025 show that while total officer numbers remain close to peak levels, the underlying structure of the workforce is shifting significantly.
Numbers Stabilised
Total officer numbers have stabilised at ~149,500 following the uplift programme, but growth has now plateaued.
Exit Risk
Voluntary resignations now account for over 50% of all leavers, a historic shift from the retirement-dominant era.
Inexperience
A significant proportion of the workforce has under 5 years' service, creating pressure on supervision and tutoring.
Diversity
Slight increases in female and ethnic minority representation, though the pace of change remains gradual.
Total Police Officer Numbers
Total Officers (England & Wales)
149,500*
*As at 31 March 2025
The headline figure confirms the retention of the Uplift Programme gains.
While the target of 20,000 additional officers has been met and sustained, the rate of growth has effectively flattened. The service has moved from a period of "aggressive expansion" (2019–2023) to a period of "maintenance".
Headline stability does not automatically equal operational stability. Workforce composition matters as much as total numbers.
Total Workforce Composition
Officers
~149,500
Staff
~78,000
PCSOs
~7,500
Specials
~6,000
The Churn: Joiners vs Leavers
Total Joiners (Incoming)
~8,000+
New recruits ensuring establishment is maintained.
Total Leavers (Outgoing)
~8,000+
Voluntary resignations now drive this figure.
Analysis: The "Standstill" Effect
With joiners broadly cancelling out leavers, the service is in a numerical standstill. However, the quality of experience being lost (experienced detectives, response drivers, tutors) is replacing by probationary constables who require abstraction for training. The headcount is stable, but the capability is under pressure.
Voluntary Resignation Rate
The officer resignation rate remains around 5–6%. While this may appear modest, in a workforce of 150,000 officers this equates to several thousand experienced officers leaving each year.
Crucially, Voluntary Resignation differs from retirement. Retirements typically occur after 25–30 years’ service. Resignations often occur in the 3–10 year window — the "peak utility" years.
The Experience Shift
A Younger Workforce
One of the most significant structural shifts in policing over the past five years has been the compression of experience. The 2025 data confirms that a large proportion of officers now have under 5 years’ service.
- Increased Tutor Demand
- Fewer Response Drivers
- Reduced Investigative Depth
Operational Reality
"An inexperienced workforce is not a weak workforce — but it requires higher levels of supervision, stability and retention investment."
Demographic Snapshot
Gender
Proportion of female officers continues to rise gradually, representing one of the successes of recent recruitment.
Ethnicity
Ethnic minority representation increases slowly but remains uneven across forces and senior ranks.
Age Profile
The workforce is younger on average than in 2010, affecting pension forecasting and long-term career planning.
Why This Data Matters
Operational Impact
- → Pay Negotiations: Evidence for PFEW/NPCC submissions.
- → Pension Forecasting: Opt-out rates vs scheme membership.
- → Public Safety: Actual deployable strength vs headcount.
Explore Related Hubs
Wait, FAQ
What are the current police officer numbers in England and Wales?
How many officers resigned in 2025?
Is the police workforce growing or shrinking?
How many officers have under five years’ service?
Where does the data come from?
Data Source
Home Office
Police Workforce, England and Wales, 31 March
2025
Independent explanatory analysis by PolicePay.co.uk