Police Sergeant Salary

£53,568 – £56,208
Effective 1 September 2025 — PRRB pay scale, England & Wales
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Sergeant Pay Progression (3 pay points)

Pay PointOutside LondonMet / City (+£9,474)
Pay Point 2 (entry)£53,568£63,042
Pay Point 3£54,660£64,134
Pay Point 4 (top)£56,208£65,682

The Sergeant is the first supervisory rank in the UK police service — the immediate line manager of a Constable team or shift. Sergeants supervise day-to-day operational policing, conduct briefings, oversee custody, and act as on-scene supervisor at incidents.

Promotion to Sergeant is by competitive process after a minimum of two years' competent service as a Constable, passing the OSPRE Part I knowledge exam and the National Police Promotions Framework (NPPF) work-based assessment.

Sergeants start at Pay Point 2 (£53,568) — there's no Pay Point 1; the rank starts at Point 2 by historical convention. Progression to top of scale (£56,208) typically takes around 2 years.

Met / City Sergeants get the full £9,474 London uplift on top: £2,886 London Weighting + £6,588 London Allowance. Both pensionable. Acting Up pay (when temporarily covering an Inspector vacancy) is available on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Police Sergeant salary in 2025?
UK Police Sergeant pay starts at £53,568 (Pay Point 2, outside London) and tops out at £56,208 (Pay Point 4), effective 1 September 2025. Met / City of London officers add £9,474 (£2,886 LW + £6,588 LA), taking the London top of scale to £65,682.
How long does it take to be promoted to Sergeant?
A minimum of two years' competent service as a Constable is required before applying. Average time to Sergeant is 5–8 years in service. Promotion requires the OSPRE Part I exam, NPPF work-based assessment, and an internal selection process.
Why does the Sergeant scale start at Pay Point 2?
Historical artefact of the federated pay structure — Sergeant Pay Point 1 was withdrawn long ago. New Sergeants enter at Point 2 and progress through 3 service-based points to the top.
How much do Met Police Sergeants earn?
A top-of-scale Met Sergeant earns £65,682: £56,208 national basic + £2,886 LW + £6,588 LA. All pensionable.
Is overtime available to Sergeants?
Yes. Time-and-a-third for normal overtime, time-and-a-half on rest days, double time on public holidays. Acting Up pay (the difference between Sergeant basic and Inspector basic) is also available when temporarily covering a vacant Inspector post.

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