Fed chair backs petition for POCA funds to be used in support of officers

4 April 2024

A petition has recently been launched to propose the introduction of a policy that would see organisations providing care to affected officers, both active and retired, receive an annual portion of money recovered from assets obtained through criminal activity.

“It is really encouraging to see this campaign gaining momentum because a rethink has been long overdue,” said Simon Riley, chair of Nottinghamshire Police Federation. “Hopefully, we can finally start looking at getting a better deal out of the Proceeds of Crime Act."

The Act, passed in 2002, recovered £339.1 million of assets through Confiscation, Forfeiture and Civil Recovery Orders in the financial year 2022 to 2023. This figure is down only 5 per cent from 2021 to 2022, the highest year on record for proceeds of crime recovered, and still reflects the overall rising trend in asset recovery over the last six years.

While acknowledging that funds generated have historically been distributed back into the force for good use, Simon echoes the idea that individual police staff should be considered more directly.

“As police officers, our commitment to our jobs can sometimes compromise our own safety. How can it be right that we could be harmed in tackling criminal activity head-on, leading to money being seized, to then not see a penny of it?”

Beneficiaries of the campaign’s success would include Police Care UK, who have appealed for more funding in their efforts to support the welfare, recovery and wellbeing of current and ex-staff who are injured or living with disability and mental health issues as a result of their roles in the force.

“Causes that offer this kind of support are vital for the welfare of staff both past and present. Something that happens at an incident of crime could change an officer’s life forever,” Simon continued.

“The public won’t always be aware of that, but thankfully, these charities are.”

The petition, which was rolled out at the end of February, has now passed four thousand signatures on the Official UK Parliament website, and Simon believes Federation members should add their own.

“I would urge all members to do their bit in maximising this real opportunity for police colleagues around the country. I’m sure we all know someone who could benefit from this movement.”

Members can sign the petition by visiting its official page here.

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