RESPONSE TO DAILY EXPRESS REGARDING 'DOUBLE DIPPERS'

On Friday 9th July the Daily Express ran an article in which it was stated that retired police officers who later return to work for the police in a civilian capacity were 'Double Dippers'.

The Taxpayers Alliance also criticised this practice as a 'double whammy' and not the best use of public money. NARPO's response to this has been sent to the Daily Express and can be viewed using the link above.  

DAILY EXPRESS ARTICLE

REACTION TO THE CHANCELLORS BUDGET

AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE PENSIONERS' COUNCIL NARPO BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS RENAGED ON ITS PROMISE THAT ACCRUED PENSION RIGHTS WOULD BE PROTECTED AND VIEW THIS CHANGE OF INDEXATION AS UNACCEPTABLE. TO VIEW THE PSPC RESPONSE TO THE CONTENTS OF THE BUDGET USE THE LINK BELOW.

PSPC RESPONSE

NARPO GENERAL ELECTION INFLUENCING OPINION DOCUMENT  

click to view

LATEST PRESS RELEASE TO POLICE REVIEW  click here 

POST CONFERENCE REACTION

Commenting on the statement made to the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) Annual Conference by the Police Minister David Hanson M.P.

Eric Evans the President of NARPO said, ‘We are pleased to see that the Minister appears to accept that the Home Office Circular 46/2004 is in need of amendment. Our view is that the circular and pressure from the Home Office has created a situation where some forces are guilty of maladministration of the injury benefit system to the detriment of significant numbers of our members. We have been working hard to get this view across to the Home Office. We are very pleased to accept the Minister’s offer of a meeting to discuss this issue and others of interest to our members in the very near future.’

INJURY AWARD PRESS RELEASE 

The situation in Northumbria Police in respect of injured members of the National Association of Retired Police Officers is going from bad to worse. Not only are our members being denied a fair and open procedure before their income is reduced at a stroke but now they are being threatened by the force that any attempt to rectify that situation through appeal is likely to result in them being charged costs amounting to a figure in excess of £6000.00. Members are already withdrawing appeals as a direct result of this threat.

Eric Evans, President of the NARPO said ‘We have seen the letter being sent to our members from the Northumbria Force solicitor. It is in our view a clear attempt to intimidate our members and dissuades them from their right to appeal. This is by far the worst example we have seen of this type of intimidation and is another clear example of the Northumbria Police desire to save money by targeting the weakest and with no consideration of what they gave to society during their police service. Current officers should be concerned at this total lack of sympathy by the force of those injured protecting the public.’

PRESS STATEMENT

Eric Evans, President of the National Association of Retired Police Officers said,

‘Northumbria Police are being disingenuous about the process of reviewing their older former police officers injured on duty by suggesting that the decision to reduce the pensions paid to them is made by an independent doctor. Our evidence, from letters we have received from all parties involved, strongly suggests that the doctor simply rubber stamps a decision made in the force with no opportunity for those affected to make representation to the doctor about their case. How can this be independent or fair?

Adding to this the fact that Northumbria are one of the very few forces to review pensioners over 65 years of age, means that they are probably the least sympathetic of all forces in England and Wales towards their injured former officers.’

INJURY AWARD REVIEWS- STATEMENT TO POLICE REVIEW

The National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) have steadfastly opposed the Home Office Circular 46/2004, which appears to be intended to bully Police Authorities into very significant changes to local policies on injury award reviews. Imposition of a policy based on the circular would greatly affect the lifestyles and financial security of those already limited by the effects of injuries received protecting the public.

Eric Evans, the President of NARPO said ‘Many of those potentially caught by any Home Office inspired policy change have been led to believe that the value of their award was for life to help to compensate for a lost career and, in many cases, a reduced pension. In some forces the reviews have come completely out of the blue, for some after years in retirement, with no proper procedure or explanation. We think policy changes are driven solely by a desire to save money at any cost.

Where is the consideration or sympathy for those who lost their jobs protecting local communities? We would remind Police Authorities of the high degree of discretion they have in both the timing and regularity of reviews and implore them, if considering a new policy, not to introduce it retrospectively in fairness to those whose careers were shortened by serious injuries.’