Suspended UK Cops Cost Taxpayers £2.6M Monthly in Full Pay

As of August 18, 2025, a record number of 750 UK police officers have been suspended on full pay over alleged wrongdoing, costing taxpayers an estimated £2.6 million per month. The suspensions, which range from sexual misconduct to brutality and corruption allegations, represent a 5% increase from the 711 officers suspended last year and more than triple the 225 recorded in 2022.

The suspended officers are collectively earning an estimated £650,000 per week in wages, even as their disciplinary cases and potential appeals drag on. Some have spent years on "gardening leave" while their cases are investigated, and if ultimately dismissed, they will still keep the wages received during suspension and often their accrued pension rights.

This issue has drawn frustration from senior police officials, such as Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, who noted the "utter waste of public funds" in paying suspended officers to stay home. High-profile cases include that of firearms officer Wayne Couzens, who was on full pay while facing criminal charges for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard, and Detective Inspector Warren Arter, who was suspended for seven years and pocketed around £400,000 in wages.