WILTSHIRE Police bosses have promised to improve morale after reading "sobering" survey results about their workforce's wellbeing.

Hundreds of officers responded to the Police Federation of England and Wales’s Pay and Morale survey, claiming they felt overworked, underpaid, and undervalued.

Wiltshire and Swindon's Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said improving morale was his “number one goal” and suggested police staff were taking on extra responsibilities from other 999 services.

He added: “In order for the public to receive the police service they want and deserve, it's essential that police officers are given the best possible training, equipment, and support, alongside strategic leadership and direction.

“They must feel supported within the force and valued by a public who understand Wiltshire Police are going the extra mile on their behalf in these difficult economic times.

"Above all, this requires officers to be paid a decent salary.

“We have many dedicated, hard-working police officers and ultimately, our success as a police force depends upon us getting the right people for the job, training and developing them well, and then rewarding them appropriately so that they stay with us.

“Wiltshire Police has faced repeated performance criticisms over the last six months so these low morale figures are, unfortunately, not surprising.

“A lot of expectation is placed on police officers and there is an increased - and repeated - demand for them to take on the duties of the other emergency services, which is having a major negative impact upon their ability to deliver the core policing functions which inspired them to join the police in the first place.

"It is little wonder why our officers feel so frustrated.

“Community safety depends upon an efficient, effective, and legitimate police force, so I am taking this report extremely seriously.

"Many of the underlying causes of concern raised are already being tackled.

“We know morale is directly related to job satisfaction and that officers want nothing more than to keep Wiltshire’s residents safe and to be appreciated for doing so.

“This must be our number one goal in the coming year and is an issue that I have no doubt the next Chief Constable will want to tackle immediately. My office will give all of the support needed to do that.”

Outgoing chief constable Kier Pritchard added: “Clearly, my officers, staff and volunteers are not immune to the same issues the communities we serve are facing.

“The results are obviously of concern to myself and the wider executive leadership team.

“As we all face the consequences of the cost-of-living pressures, pay and conditions are more vital now than ever before.

“The survey results are a sobering read and I remain totally committed to doing everything in my power to ensure the wellbeing and morale of all our officers, staff and volunteers.

“I know just how crucial it is that those protecting our communities are happy and healthy, physically and mentally.

“The service we provide to our communities is reliant on our people. We know that the last six months have been an incredibly difficult and demanding time for our organisation.

“The effect of real-term cuts is being experienced across the country, resulting in a wide-scale reduction in morale, as appears to be felt across many of the public services and other emergency services.

“We continue to work tirelessly to provide the right level of support to all our colleagues to ensure they are able to continue to provide the best possible service to the public.

“My message is clear – you should remain confident in your local force. Police officers will remain dedicated and committed to providing a visible presence to protect communities and keep them safe.”