Leave entitlement
Leave entitlement
The Ministry of Defence Police understands that our demanding roles in protecting Defence require proper rest and recovery. Our competitive leave entitlements ensure you can maintain work-life balance while pursuing a rewarding career protecting the nation's critical assets.
Annual leave
From your first day of service you will receive 25 days (200 hours) of annual leave, with progressive increases recognising your commitment to the Force.
Length in service | Leave entitlement |
Less than 6 years | 25 days (200 hours) |
6 or more years | 26 days (208 hours) |
7 or more years | 27 days (216 hours) |
8 or more years | 28 days (224 hours) |
9 or more years | 29 days (232 hours) |
10 or more years | 30 days (240 hours) |
Family-Friendly policies
We support our officers through every stage of life with comprehensive family leave provisions:
Maternity Leave & Pay
Up to 15 months Police Maternity Leave
26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
Additional 13 weeks unpaid leave (subject to eligibility)
Adoption Leave
Up to 52 weeks adoption leave
26 weeks full pay, 13 weeks Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP)
13 weeks unpaid leave (depending on eligibility)
Antenatal Leave
Paid time off for all necessary antenatal care appointments
Adoption Support Leave
First week full pay, second week statutory pay (depending on length of service)
Supporting colleagues who aren't the primary adopter
Parental Leave
18 weeks per child (maximum 4 weeks each year)
Flexible unpaid leave for child care needs (subject to eligibility)
Supporting your wellbeing
Our leave entitlements reflect our commitment to supporting officers both professionally and personally. Whether you're starting a family, need time for important appointments, or simply want to enjoy well-deserved annual leave, we ensure you have the flexibility to balance your career with life's important moments.
Your dedication to protecting Defence assets is matched by our dedication to supporting your wellbeing throughout your career with the Ministry of Defence Police.