More senior police officers are throwing in the towel and putting pressure on the Government's police hiring targets.

The coalition has promised 1800 more officers on the beat over the next three years.

However, the Police Association claim the demand could increase from the already known 3,000 needed to another five-hundred a year, given the rate at which attrition rates are increasing.

When the Government pledged it's new police target, the attrition rate was less than the current 5.4%.

Police Association president Chris Cahill says it means there are now around 500 officers a year leaving, most of whom hold senior positions.

He says while some are reaching retirement age, more are saying they've just had enough.

"There's a significant portion who have just run out of steam. They've been working on the front line, they've seen no extra resources to help them out while the pressures and demands continue to increase."

He says the types of incidents they are being called out to are having a toll.

"Whether it be the increase in family harm or mental health issues that they have to deal with on a daily basis, and they are saying they've had enough."

However, police Minister Stuart Nash doesn't think the high number of senior officers leaving the force will hurt the police target.

Nash says churn is an important part of rejuvenating an organisation.

"Bringing in well over 1000 a year so we're replacing experienced people who are really passionate to energise new people. You never want to see experienced people leave an organisation but that's just part and parcel of how things work."

Cahill say the latest round of pay negotiations have begun, and they'll be asking senior officers what it'll take to make them stay.