Details of the self-certification procedures applicable within forces are available from Human Resources and your JBB Office.

Regulation 28 and Annex K of Police Regulations 2003 provide that a member of a police force who is absent on sick leave shall be entitled to full pay for six months in any one year period. Thereafter, the member becomes entitled to half pay for six months in any one year period.

Entitlement to pay and the level of pay is calculated by deducting from your entitlement on the first day of a sick leave period the aggregate of periods of paid absence during the twelve months immediately preceding the first day of absence.

The chief officer has the discretion to resume or maintain the period of entitlement to, as appropriate, full-pay or half-pay. PNB Circular 05/1 provides agreed guidance to chief officers on the exercise of this discretion.

For further details please contact your JBB.

Court appearances – whilst sick

If a member is certified unfit for duty by a doctor, and due to give evidence in Court, unless the reason for the certification prevents him/her from giving evidence, the member is obliged to attend Court and give evidence. Where the member does so as part of his/her duty as a police officer, this will be duty in the normal way.

Injury sustained on duty

As at August 2016, the Home Office is drafting regulations for a new injury benefits scheme, which could lead to changes in entitlements which may be significant in some cases and may affect the position summarised below. For the up to date position contact your JBB office or visit the national Police Federation website.

Any injury suffered whilst on duty (e.g. assault, a road traffic accident, falling over loose equipment, disease, stress etc.) should be reported by the member in writing to his/her supervising officer and/or in whatever form the force requires. This may assist in getting an injury award, should further aggravation or deterioration result, even at a much later date.

Sick pay may be abated by statutory benefits if the member is on full sick pay.

An injury received at any sport or game will not be regarded as an injury on duty unless the sporting activity is part of a training programme or otherwise carried out in duty time under a specific order (e.g. PSU training).

In respect of any injury suffered by a member (whether or not incurred on duty) s/he should notify the JBB Secretary with a view to obtaining advice as to the possibility of a civil claim and/or a claim under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

Produced and issued by Research and Policy Support PFEW HQ - updated October 2014 still correct August 2016