§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what compensation is paid to police officers injured in the course of duty; and what pensions are paid to those who are unable to continue work as a result of such injuries.
§ Mr. Giles ShawA police officer is entitled to full pay while absent from duty because of injury. If the injury was caused by criminal action, compensation may be claimed under the criminal injuries compensation scheme. An officer who has to retire prematurely as the result of injury on duty is entitled under the Police Pension Regulations 1973 to an ill health pension, an injury pension and an injury gratuity. The ill health pension is calculated by reference to his average pensionable pay at the time of his retirement and his years of service, the maximum pension so payable being two-thirds of pay. The injury pension provides a guaranteed minimum income, the level depending on the degree of disablement, up to a maximum of 85 per cent. of pensionable pay. Three quarters of the ill health pension is taken into account. The injury gratuity is a lump sum of up to six months' pay.
If the officer's injuries render him totally disabled he is also entitled in anticipation of the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations which are about to be made to a lump sum of five times average pensionable pay subject to abatement in respect of any damages or other compensation received.