A 16-01
Cleveland Police - Corporate Policy
Title:
Review of Injury Awards and Medical Pensions
Reference No:
50
Implemented On:
March 2003
Review Date:
March 2005
Policy Statement
Cleveland Police Officers have a difficult and often dangerous role.
Confidence to undertake the duties associated with modern day policing
comes from effective training, information, equipment and organisation which
is underpinned by terms and conditions which ensure adequate reward and
protection for normal hazards of work. In addition, these terms and conditions
also provide against the particular occupational hazards associated with a job
which expects an individual to place themselves at physical risk. The
provision of these terms and conditions is part of society's reciprocal duty to
provide for those who put themselves at risk in this way. For example, where
an officer is retired on health grounds, they will receive an immediate index-
linked pension. The pension will have been enhanced to compensate for
opportunity lost had the officer been able to work to the date of compulsory
retirement - or 30 years service, whichever is the less. Where the Police
Authority may be liable in law for having caused the permanent disablement,
it will be open for officers to seek damages via the civil system, however, in
exceptional circumstances an additional injury pension may be awarded
where an officer receives an injury in the execution of their duties as a Police
Officer.
There is also a duty to review the entitlement of Officers on an ordinary
medical pension as if their condition has improved it may be possible for them
to return to the Force.
Cleveland Police also must ensure that arrangements are in place for the
revision of the Injury Award once an Officer reaches age 60.
Strategic Aims
This document supports the following Strategic Aims:
• Reduction and detection of crime
•
Response
Policing
•
Reassuring
the
Public
•
Finance
and
Commissioning
• Personnel and Development
1
Template Revised 09/2004
p0018.V:\A-CURRENT FOI REQUESTS\MCCALL-PENSIONS POLICY & PROCEDURE\50 REVIEW OF INJURY
AWARDS AND MEDICAL PENSIONS POLICY.DOC
• Information and Communication Technology
Policy aims and application
Aims:
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in relation to reviewing
whether the degree of a retired Officer's disablement has substantially
altered, whether a medically retired Officer is fit enough to be reinstated and
to introduce a system to lower IOD payments at age 60.
Cleveland Police, to date, has not yet exercised this statutory duty as defined
by the Police Pensions Regulations 1987. This policy therefore defines a new
procedure relating to the reassessment of injury pensions as required by the
above Regulations, the reassessment of ill health pensions and the revision
of Injury Awards at age 60.
Application:
This policy applies to all Police Officers and Police Staff of Cleveland Police.
Procedures:
The following are the procedures to be followed in respect of this policy:
50.1 Review of Injury Awards and Medical Pensions
Legal and Other References
The Police Pensions Regulations 1987 (Regulation K2(1)) requires Police
Authorities to periodically consider whether the degree of a retired officer's
disablement has substantially altered. Cleveland Police Authority has, as it is
empowered to do by the Regulations, delegated responsibility for matters
relating to Police Pensions to the Chief Constable. If, after such
consideration, it is found that the degree of disablement has subsantially
altered, then the injury pension shall be reviewed accordingly. Recalling
retired officers for reassessment of their disability is important both to the
individual and to the Force because the impact of disability can intensify or
decrease over a period of time and therefore should be reflected in the
disability banding. In such circumstances it is acknowledged that pensions
may increase or decrease accordingly.
Officers not in receipt of an Injury on Duty award require reviewing as some
may be able to return to the Force if their medical condition has improved.
Officers in receipt of an Injury Award are no longer entitled to the same
payment once they reach age 60 as the award is to compensate for loss of
earnings rather than the actual injury itself. This policy documents the Force
procedure in this regard in lowering the award to Band One.
2
A 16-01
Administration
All documentation produced in preparation of this policy, including compliance
assessments and suitability certificates, will be retained by Manual of
Guidance Officer, Corporate Planning and Performance
The Head of Personnel and Development is responsible to for the accuracy
and integrity of this Policy. Therefore, objections as to the content of this
policy must be directed to Head of Personnel and Development.
This section will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis by the Head of
Personnel and Development.
Compliance Checking
This document has been assessed for:
• Freedom of Information Act issues
• Human Rights compliance
• Diversity, Race and Equality
• Disability Discrimination Act
• Risk management issues, including health and safety
• Other identified legal, ethical or moral issues
and, is certified suitable for implementation.
3
Template Revised 09/2004
p0018.V:\A-CURRENT FOI REQUESTS\MCCALL-PENSIONS POLICY & PROCEDURE\50 REVIEW OF INJURY
AWARDS AND MEDICAL PENSIONS POLICY.DOC
