North Yorkshire Police Federation chair Rob Bowles has welcomed changes in the rules that unfairly denied officers compensation for injuries received in the line of duty.

Rob praised the collaborative work of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) and the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) in securing the changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) guidance.

It comes after the Federation raised concerns that too many officers were being unfairly denied compensation under outdated guidance.

Rob said: “Every day, our members face violence, aggression, and danger simply for doing their job and for the uniform they wear.

“When they are hurt protecting the public, they deserve our support, not to be unfairly told that their injuries won’t be considered for compensation.

“This is a positive outcome for our members, and one which we welcome.

“And I applaud PFEW and its collaborative work with NPWS in helping to get this change made.”

Assaults on police officers are at record levels. However, under previous CICA guidance, many compensation claims were rejected because officers’ injuries were not judged to be the result of ‘a crime of violence’, or did not involve ‘exceptional risk’.

Guidance

The guidance has now been updated.

It follows a joint submission from the NPWS and PFEW, supported by detailed case evidence, which led to a review by the Ministry of Justice and Home Office.

The new guidance makes clear that where an officer is injured by someone violently resisting arrest or restraint, decision-makers must fully consider whether the offender’s actions amount to a crime of violence. This includes cases involving recklessness.

This clearer interpretation gives officers injured through violent or reckless behaviour a stronger and fairer basis for claiming compensation, PFEW said.

Belinda Goodwin, PFEW National Board member, said: “This is an important win for our members and all emergency workers.

Pressure

“Too often, officers injured protecting the public were told their injuries didn’t count under the rules. That was plainly unfair.

"Thanks to our pressure and evidence, that wrong has been put right. The guidance finally recognises the real-world risks our members face every day and ensures they can access the compensation they deserve when things go wrong.”

Andy Rhodes, Director of the National Police Wellbeing Service, said: “This change reflects a shared understanding that our people face danger and trauma as part of their duty to protect others.

"The updated guidance rightly acknowledges that reality. I’m grateful to all who engaged constructively to make this happen: it’s a great example of collaboration in action for the good of those who serve.”

The revised CICA guidance can be viewed here.

READ MORE: Mental health is as important as physical health, says Fed chair.