Police injury benefits: consultation outcome on 12-Month rule compatibility with statutory obligations published
The Home Office has published the consultation outcome on the subject of the 12-month rule in regulation 12 of the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006, SI 2006/932. Regulation 11 provides for the payment of injury awards for police officers who, as a result of injury received in the course of duty, have been permanently disabled and are unable to continue in the role. An injury award consists of a pension and a gratuity. Regulation 12 provides a significant additional gratuity for police officers who become totally and permanently disabled within 12 months of an injury. The additional gratuity is five times the annual value of the officer’s pensionable pay. The consultation, which ran between 12 May 2021 and 7 July 2021, examined the 12-month rule's compatibility with the Equality Act 2010, focusing on its impact on mental health injuries compared to physical injuries. Most respondents felt the 12-month rule was inconsistent with the Equality Act and did not adequately address progressive mental health conditions. However, there was no consensus among representative organisations, and the data collected was inconclusive. The Home Office therefore intends to gather more focused data and evidence through an engagement exercise with stakeholders and medical experts before considering any changes to regulation 12. However, if sufficient evidence and data support an amendment to regulation 12, the Home Office will consult further on any proposed changes.