'Get on with investigating crime!' Ex-Met Police detective 'shocked' by police body pushing for right to strike

A group representing police officers has initiated legal proceedings seeking to overturn legislation that has prohibited them from joining trade unions for more than a century.

The National Police Association is pursuing a judicial review challenging restrictions established under the Police Act 1996, arguing these provisions breach the European Convention on Human Rights.

Officers have been barred from taking industrial action since 1919 amid concerns that strikes could lead to a breakdown in law and order.

Former Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Mike Neville expressed dismay at the push for union rights, drawing on his background in the armed forces before joining the police service.

He told the People's Channel: "I suppose all public sector employees will look at people like the junior doctors who managed to get a 29 per cent increase out of their wages from the Government, who wouldn't want a 29 per cent increase?

"The Federation say that by having rival groups it just weakens the negotiating stance of the federation itself, but on a personal level, I was brought up with the sort of attitude of service before self. I was a soldier first and then I joined the police."

Mr Neville suggested contemporary society has become more self-interested, with people increasingly prioritising personal gain over public duty.

He stated: "The idea that I would go on a strike as a police officer, when you put on that uniform, the public are more important than you are, so I'm quite shocked by these demands.

"But I think we live in a more selfish society these days, and people want more for themselves."

The former detective chief inspector urged officers to concentrate on tackling crime and rebuilding the public's faith in the service rather than pursuing the right to withdraw their labour.

He explained: "As a police officer, service should ultimately come first, and we have a change in attitudes into society to these things.

"The trust and confidence in the police in this country is at its lowest level ever, it's at rock bottom, and they really don't need any more that tells the public that the police are not on their side."

He cautioned officers: "I just think the police need to get on with investigating crime, get the crime rates down, restore that trust and confidence in policing, and that's the most important thing.

"A strike will just make it worse in the eyes of the public. The British police used to be the most trusted in the world, and sadly, that trust has been lost, and this won't help."

National Police Association spokesman Martin Buhagiar said in a statement: "The question of Industrial rights/right to strike is often mentioned within policing and has been the feature of at least three national membership polls in the last two decades. The latest took place in 2024 when the Police Federation of England and Wales polled its membership.

"That poll, like the two before it, returned a result indicating its membership would be in favour of pursuing those rights. The fact the Federation has so far ignored that mandate is further evidence as to why it is failing in its statutory function.

"The NPA is not yet officially recognised and whilst it has a significant police officer following, no official canvassing or polling has taken place to provide a mandate on this question. Therefore it is misleading to suggest we have ‘strike action’ as a stated aim or as something which we are considering pursuing."

In a statement, a Home Office spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate to comment during ongoing legal proceedings, but we will be defending any action robustly.

"Protecting the public is our number one priority. Police officers are not allowed to strike because their role is integral to public safety."

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