Police Overtime Calculator
1.333× – 2.0× hourly basic
Police Regulation 26 — standard, rest day & public holiday rates
Calculate Your Take-Home Pay
Police Overtime Rates by Scenario
| Scenario | Multiplier | Constable P1 hourly | PC P7 hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard overtime (extension of shift) | 1.333× | £19.92/hr | £32.12/hr |
| Rest day working (<15 days notice) | 1.5× | £22.41/hr | £36.15/hr |
| Public holiday working | 2.0× | £29.88/hr | £48.20/hr |
| Recall on short notice (some cases) | 2.0× | £29.88/hr | £48.20/hr |
Police overtime is governed by Regulation 26 of the Police Regulations 2003. Officers ranks Constable through Inspector are eligible; Chief Inspector and above generally don't get standard overtime payments.
Three standard multipliers:
- Time-and-a-third (1.333×) — standard overtime, e.g. staying on after your shift, attending court or other authorised duties beyond rostered hours.
- Time-and-a-half (1.5×) — rest day working with less than 15 days' notice. (With 15+ days' notice, you typically get a rest day in lieu instead of cash.)
- Double time (2.0×) — public holiday working, and some short-notice recalls.
Officers can usually opt for Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) instead of cash payment, at the same multiplier. So a public-holiday overtime hour earns either 2 hours of cash or 2 hours of TOIL.
The calculator handles standard time-and-a-third overtime and rest-day time-and-a-half via the Overtime section. Enter your typical monthly overtime hours and choose the multiplier; the calculator computes annualised gross overtime and includes it in your take-home estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the police overtime rate?
Time-and-a-third (1.333× hourly basic) for standard overtime — staying on after shift, court attendance, authorised duties beyond rostered hours. Time-and-a-half (1.5×) on rest days, double time (2.0×) on public holidays.
Who is eligible for police overtime?
Constable, Sergeant, Inspector — the federated ranks. Chief Inspector and above are generally not eligible for standard overtime under Regulation 26, though specific force arrangements vary for major-incident command.
Can I take time off instead of overtime pay?
Yes — Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) is usually an option at the same multiplier as the cash payment. So a public-holiday overtime hour earns either 2 hours of cash or 2 hours of TOIL.
What happens if my rest day is cancelled?
If you receive 15 or more days' notice, you typically just get a substitute rest day later — no cash payment. If less than 15 days' notice, you're paid time-and-a-half for the hours worked, or can opt for TOIL at 1.5×.
How much can a typical officer earn from overtime?
Varies enormously by role, force and shift pattern. Investigation officers, response, and specialist roles often work 5–20 paid overtime hours per month. At £19.92/hr (PC P1 standard OT rate), 10 hours/month adds £2,390/year gross. The calculator lets you enter your actual monthly hours and multiplier.