Our Ref: KS/2009/00001 15 January 2009

[FOI #5319 email]

Dear Mr Jarman,

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT Reference No F-2009-00001

I write in connection with your request for information received on 5^th January 2009. I note you seek access to the following information:

1) How many former officers of Bedfordshire Constabulary are currently in receipt of an injury award pension, as provided for in the Police Pensions Regulations 1987 and the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006?

2) Do you operate a policy of reducing an injury award pension to the lowest permissible band when the former officer reaches the age of 65?

3) In the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive, how many former officers' injury award pensions were reduced to the lowest banding upon the former officer reaching the age of 65? (A total figure only is requested, but I have no objection if you break the figures down by year)

4) In the years 1987 to 2003 inclusive, how many former officers' injury award pensions were reduced to the lowest banding upon the former officer reaching the age of 65? (A total figure only is requested, but I have no objection if you break the figures down by year)

5) In the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive, how many formal complaints have been made against officers of ACPO rank in Bedfordshire Constabulary regarding matters in any way connected with the administration of reviews of police injury awards? (A total figure only is requested, but I have no objection if you break the figures down by year)

I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published, and therefore in the public domain without caveat.

In response to your questions, I have today decided to release the information requested in full as I can see no harm to any individual, the community, the police service or other bodies. After considering whether releasing this information will affect the good order and functioning of community, government or other public service affairs, I believe it is in the public's interest the information be released. The information lies within the arena of public safety and may provide common benefit to members of the community. Releasing this information will not identify any individual or compromise any court case, law enforcement or investigation.

With reference to your recent enquiry and in response to your questions I can confirm the following:

Question 1 - As at 06/01/09 - 135

Question 2 - Our pensions/finance department have suggested this would only be done for new cases and on the single occasion an officer has been informed at retirement that this would happen. However, to date, no injury awards have been instigated since agreeing this approach.

Question 3 - None

Question 4 - No awards have been reduced to the lowest banding simply due to the officer reaching 65. All cases of change of banding have occurred as a result of a review of reward based upon a medical opinion as to whether the degree of disability may have altered, not age.  

Question 5 - None that we are aware.

I hope this information proves useful.

Complaint Rights

Your attention is drawn to the attached sheet, which details your right of complaint.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in Bedfordshire Police.

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter please do not hesitate to contact me quoting the above reference number.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Kevin Sharp

Information Services Officer