Now that Summer is slowly grinding to an end and we will soon be reaching the start of Autumn, our thoughts turn to the start of a new charitable year, which commenced on 1st September. IODPA, concludes, in our view, a second successful year.
The IODPA Trustees sincerely hope that our readers have had a good and peaceful summer; it doesn’t seem like two minutes ago that the children were breaking up for the holidays and the weeks lay blissfully ahead.
Normality resumes this week as the children go back to school and although things have been quiet publically, we have continued to be kept busy behind the scenes.
Reviews, on the whole, have quietened down at present. We have two epicentres where the main problems seem to be centred; Northumbria and Staffordshire. As our readers will know, there is a significant judicial review impending for seventeen injured police pensioners from Staffordshire, regarding the production of full medical notes at a review. The varying issues are now heading towards a court hearing so we will not be discussing any more of this case, suffice to say, once we are permitted to report anything in the public forum, we will do so.
We believe that many forces are waiting upon the same aforementioned judicial review before looking at whether or not to commence reviews of their own. We hope that all forces will do their own research rather than be blindly led by others who claim to be the font of all knowledge where Police Injury Benefit Regulations are concerned. There are other ways of doing reviews without causing extreme stress and pain to retired officers, that these two forces think is acceptable. Hopefully, the gentle approach to reviews will become the norm soon, similar to what we believe is happening in Thames Valley.
We will be here, always ready and waiting to support those pensioners who need assistance, should that day come for them. As we have continued to say so many times previously; we have no problem with forces conducting reviews. They have a right to review, should they decide that there has been a ‘suitable interval’. What we ask for, is that those reviews are conducted lawfully, compassionately and abides by all relevant case law and not be just a cynical vehicle for saving money from those who gave so much.
There is also a growing need to support our serving colleagues who have had the misfortune of being injured whilst on duty. These disabled and vulnerable officers have to deal with an adversarial ill health retirement process, more often than not, alone with no support network in place. Often provided with misinformation, or not informed at all of their rights, we are referring more and more of them to legal support in the aim of them receiving a fair and equitable result at a time when many are having to leave the service they love, due to their duty injuries.
Fortunately, officers are now finding us and we are pleased to say that word of mouth regarding IODPA is spreading more and more within police forces around the country. We are assisting these injured officers and signposting where necessary. We are always very grateful for the help that Mark Lake of Taylor Law and Ron Thompson and Mark Botham of Havens Solicitors give to those who need their specialist knowledge.
As our third charitable year commences and we collate all we have achieved to date, we hope that this new year continues to show IODPA as a growing and improving organisation.
As well as hoping the year brings resolution for some of the issues we have faced over the last few years and new opportunities to help our growing membership, we will continue to support all those who need us, as well as those new members who have joined us over the last twelve months. We anticipate our membership growth will continue in this new charity year and as a result, we will be seeking to collaborative with other organisations to further our help and support for all injured officers.
Welfare for those who have served is still very limited and in some cases, non existent, so developing the charity in these areas will also be explored. It is sobering to think that from just a small group of former officers, who came together in one force area, IODPA has grown rapidly to cover the whole of the UK, with a large membership and it underlines the fact that there is still a large number of serving and retired officers who are in need of support.
So, to finish. If anyone knows of a retired officer who maybe in need, or if you are a serving or served officer with an injury sustained on duty, then please contact us.
Strikes me that we are only just starting to uncover the acts of ‘creative accountancy’ practised by forces. It seems that they are all skating around on a very thin veneer of bullshit. be sure your sins will find you out. The IODPA are coming, so you had better get ready.
“All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke
Thank the lord we have IODPA as our “Good men and Women”
As with many things in this world Goliath ‘believed’ he could easily overcome Samson until the day of reckoning……we’ll done IODPA
I am confident the charity will go from strength to strength in the coming years. It is down to the hard work of the trustees and its members. The amount of work that obviously goes on behind the scenes is immense and is purely for the benefit of those police officers who were unlucky enough to be injured whilst carrying out there duties. It is a pity the same help is not forthcoming from the PPA’s and there lackeys in the various forces up and down the country. They have a lot to learn but as it is not them who are on the receiving end of there actions which effect those injured pensioners, in many adverse ways,. they show no concern. They are shameful.
Well done IODPA and trustees who have made it happen. It’s great to feel supported and part of something that can push back at those that would harm us. Now because of our growing numbers and strength – there is a bright light shining back on the twisted ways that some of those forces employ – I am sure they won’t and don’t like to be in the spotlight and held to account nor seen in the courts and the public eye for what they do.
IODPA has given us all strength, Thanks to all involved.
Thank you IODPA for the support and peace of mind you have given me. Until I found you I was alone and fearful of the future. Now a, amongst friends, and armed with knowledge, not so much.
Thank you IODPA for all your hard work in front and behind the scenes also for all the support when others did not want to know…Its fantastic to have people like you on our side.
Thanks again to all an excellent year for the charity who continue their excellent support to vulnerable pensioners injured on duty.
We need to focus pressure on Northumbria and Staffs along with Broome.
They now have a new PCC who is not making any noises and supports a veteran charity so she may be open to contact.
Thanks all trustees and members I really appreciate the help and support
Sometimes I just need to rant, get things out of my head, IODPA has been there to listen and give advice. Being across the shuck In N.Ireland I feel very alone and abandoned by my Fed and retired Police officers association neither of which assist with IoD applications anymore. Local solicitors have declined to go against the dept of Justice here and I don’t, at the minute, feel capable of the massive amount of work I would have to put into accessing mainland solicitors,
I find the IODPA site useful for expertise, encouragement and updates so every now and then get the motivation to put my case together so that hopefully soon I will have something I can present.
Now.. Why can’t all our Forces and the Federation be as supportive and informative as this charity is.
It brings the saying “above and beyond” to a new level.
Thank you IODPA for all your hard work and supporting us all when others clearly didn’t want to.
After the tragic events of the summer when a serving officer paid the ultimate price it just goes to show us how dangerous the job can be. It is thanks to IODPA that officers both serving and retired have somewhere to turn in their hr of need. The support and advice given by this charity is second to none.
The word is getting out and that can only be a good thing for this charity. Long live IODPA an may it grow into an even stronger force to be reckoned with.
It’s a credit to your hard work that IODPA has come so far.
Every officer should be notified of your existence by Fed upon retirement instead of word of mouth or luck.
If you are a serving officer and have been injured, get in touch with the best charity out there, IODPA. They will look after YOUR best interest only, are beholding to nobody except us, the officers. Terrific people.
I’m so glad IODPA has been there for me from the start, especially as my Narpo locally wasn’t!
They have been with me through thick and thin, with support, advice and then signposting, that guided me to Ron Thompso at Haven Solicitors, who together with Mark Botham and David Lock QC, have defended me against the excesses of my old employer.
I doubt that those, who thought we IOD’s would be easy meat, every imagined how much their disgraceful, uncaring and unlawful approach would lead to IODPA’s growth, which whilst things on the ‘Western front’ have been quiet over the summer, have apparently continued to grow.
So, as Summer ends and the battles start again, it’s nice to know that IODPA’s message, membership and strength , continues to grow. This being despite the dirty tricks being tried against it by those forces who seem to listen to the wrong advice!
The days of misinformation, or of no info at all, will soon be over, both for those who served and more importantly, those battling to regain the health, or who are facing ill health retirement.
Thank you IODPA. May your presence continue to strike fear & worry into those who flaunt the law.
IODPA, you rock and long may you be there for us!
I thought I was the only one who was treated like a criminal when I was injured. I was bullied, demeaned and vilified for daring to fall prey to a mental health injury. Did they care that there treatment of me made me ten times worse and caused me to have a nigh on mental breakdown? How can they be allowed to get away with this, on such a national level. Finding IODPA and the wonderful people who run it, has given me such peace of mind. They care in a way that nobody else has ever cared for me. They treat me with compassion and respect. Nothing has ever been too much bother.
I will always owe them a great gratitude, thank you for everything.
IODPA has been needed for a very long time.
It is a travesty that so many officers who have been forced to lose their vocation trough injury on duty have been treated with such contempt.
No more – keep fighting the good fight !
Thank you. It can be very lonely, feeling that it’s you, against your former employers, who you once regarded as colleagues. The IODPA, gives individuals a voice, which gives a degree of peace of mind, in a fraught situation. Keep up the “Good fight” remember, there are many who serve, will need your advice, and help in the years ahead.
The new Home Secretary Priti Patel has acrually promised to support the police and has gone as far as to say she is ashamed of the way the police has been treated in the past. Hopefully this means that those injured on duty will actually be looked after and protected against the injustices they currently have to suffer at the hands of their old forces who should be compassionate to them, not punishing them for serving their country.
And I thought things would have got better since I was cast from the job. It was a hateful time, management and HR making it as difficult as possible for me. I’m sad to know that serving officers are still having a crappy time of it, all because they were unfortunate enough to be injured whilst on duty. Shame on all of you force workers who think it’s ok to treat your fellow human beings in this way.
Bravo to IODPA and their dedicated team. Continue the good work and continue to make forces answerable for their actions.
It’s encouraging to read that the charity is going from strength to strength. To know you are there for us is reassuring and certainly gives me more courage to face any battles I may have to endure one day.
I raise a glass to you good people and long may IODPA continue to flourish.
Now in my third year of membership I’m delighted that IODPA has gone from strength to strength into the fantastic charitable organisation that we have today. I can only congratulate the trustees for their unfailing commitment to those IOD’s who have suffered because of complete maladministration of the relevant Regulations by various forces, and those who are currently going through the IOD process. The common ground of both groups is that IODPA is the organisation which is and will support those who need help. Membership is growing steadily and hopefully the message will soon get to those who try to abuse the process that those abuses will soon be brought into the public arena and they will be shown for what they are. The new Home Secretary has made some conciliatory comments about the support that should be given to the Police. The time is now right for pressure to be put on the establishment to not only protect those who serve but also those who have served. IOPDA I salute you. 👏👏
This blog, and the associated Facebook page have given me invaluable advice, both in terms of personal self help, as well as legally in terms of Regs etc. It would always be my first point of call in any unanswered or unknown discussion regarding my injury on duty. I cannot thank the admin and associated people enough, as well as the members of the group who all seem to be experiencing similar problems to myself, showing me that I am not alone, as I had previously believed.
Well done for all the hard work done by the Trustees and other helpers behind the scenes. The message is getting across and more people are becoming aware of their rights because of it. Lets hope all forces are sitting up and taking notice.
Massive thanks to our trustees and in fact every member of IODPA, knowledge is a powerful tool and that knowledge is gained by all members sharing experiences and helping each other through tough times ..
We all joined the job with a view to it being a life long career but alas for very many it was a career cut short by something we hoped would never occur, ..A lot of us soon found that those we trusted and thought would look after us would infact kick us into the gutter then kick us a bit more .. THANK GOD FOR IODPA, it’s very frightening to think what would and has happened to injured officers .. we have managed to get out of that gutter and start to re build lives, trust and support 💕
Fantastic hard work by our Trustees, Lawyers and many members, much of which is done unseen behind the scenes. Every single member of this charity was retired due to a disability incurred whilst doing their duty protecting others.
That desire to protect others is now being put to good use in our fight against injustice and plain old fashioned bullying that few, if any of us would have ever expected from some of our former Police Forces present administration.
Well done IODPA, I for one am in your debt.
Hear, hear……. what other ex employee puts on the end of letters ‘seek legal advice’ incurring additional individual stress and financial difficulties when already struggling and dealing with disabilities. They must think that it’s a walk in the park not being able to function as one once did, Maladministration, bullying and intimidation by some Forces is the norm, They pick off individuals that are already isolated, elderly or disabled or both it makes no difference to them.
Sadly, I look on those that have lost their lives in the line of duty as being fortunate, I am not being unkind but thankful that they are not being subject to the archaic, disgusting behaviour of some Forces in conducting their numerous reviews constantly being threatened and of course knowing that some Forces namely Northumbria Police have stated that they will pursue all IOD’s ‘until death’ .
Thank goodness I found IODPA, I know I am not alone, the support and guidance is second to none. Always someone to speak to in the darkest hours. Well done Trustees.
Very very well done IODPA. Over a very short period you have achieved many successes for ‘US’. Not only that but you have also achieved significant credibility for the Association. 👍👍👍👍👍