Salary, allowances and pension
Salary, allowances and pension
Salary, allowances and pension
A career with the Ministry of Defence Police offers a competitive salary alongside a strong package of allowances and a valuable pension scheme, reflecting the specialist nature of Defence policing. Find out what you can expect to earn and the additional benefits available to you as an MDP officer.
Salary
Current salary scales for all police ranks from Constable to Assistant Chief Constable, with rates effective from 1st September 2026.
Constable
Constable Pay Point | Salary |
2 | £30,643 |
3 | £31,929 |
4 | £33,222 |
5 | £34,519 |
6 | £37,104 |
7 | £42,317 |
8 | £49,413 |
Sergeant
Sergeant Pay Point | Salary |
1 | £52,671 |
2 | £53,745 |
3 | £55,267 |
Inspector
Inspector Pay Point | Salary |
1 | £62,700 |
2 | £64,407 |
3 | £66,109 |
4 | £67,827 |
Chief Inspector
Chief Inspector Pay Point | Salary |
1 | £69,167 |
2 | £70,515 |
3 | £71,923 |
Superintendent
Superintendent Pay Point | Salary |
1 | £82,767 |
2 | £86,968 |
3 | £91,397 |
4 | £97,356 |
Chief Superintendent
Chief Superintendent Pay Point | Salary |
1 | £102,059 |
2 | £105,430 |
3 | £113,846 |
5 | £34,519 |
6 | £37,104 |
7 | £42,317 |
8 | £49,413 |
Assistant Chief Constable
ACC Pay Point | Salary |
1 | £123,092 |
2 | £130,886 |
3 | £138,687 |
Allowances
Some locations and roles attract additional allowances on a pro-rata basis whilst you are based there and remain eligible for the allowance. These are paid monthly in your salary and are subject to the usual deductions.
Location allowances
South East Allowance - Higher - £3,105 for posts based at:
Croughton, Northamptonshire
AWE Group, Berkshire (including Special Escort Group and Tactical Firearms Unit)
Welford, Berkshire
South East Allowance - Lower - £2,070 for posts based at:
Oakhanger, Hampshire
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Southwick Park, Hampshire
MDP London Allowance - £4,490
MDP London Weighting - £3,261
Priority posting allowances
AWE Group, Berkshire (including the Tactical Firearms Unit and Special Escort Group) - £3,000
Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria - £3,000
Vulcan, Dounreay - £2,000
Specialist Escort Group - £2,000
Unsocial hours allowance
Eligible officers can claim an allowance worth 10% of their base rate pay for every full hour worked between the hours of 2100hr and 0500hrs.
Additional allowances
Your base salary is also enhanced by allowances that recognise the operational demands of Defence policing.
On-call allowance
£35 for each 24-hour period you're available for emergency response, ensuring you're compensated for your availability to respond to critical situations.
Overtime
Casual overtime is paid at time and a third for additional hours beyond scheduled duties.
Rest day overtime with less than 15 days' notice paid at time and a half, or you can choose time off in lieu.
Pension
As an MDP officer, you'll automatically join the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (ALPHA), one of the most generous pension arrangements in the UK.
While you contribute between 4.6% and 8.05% depending on your salary, the Ministry of Defence contributes an impressive 28.97% on your behalf. This substantial employer contribution, combined with the scheme's competitive benefits and guaranteed security, provides you with a foundation for your retirement planning and long-term financial wellbeing.