Ten years ago, on a warm May evening, seven Avon and Somerset former police officers gathered in a pub garden. What started as a small meeting among friends seeking solace and understanding would soon grow into something far beyond their wildest dreams. They shared their experiences, struggles, and hopes, unaware that this simple act of coming together would lay the foundation for the Injury on Duty Pensioners Association (‘IODPA’), a registered charity now trusted and respected by hundreds of former police officers across the UK.
The journey of IODPA is a testament to the idea that good things often emerge from challenging circumstances. These former officers, united by their common struggles, transformed their pain into a powerful force for good. They recognised the need for a support network, a community where injured officers could find the advice, assistance, and empathy they so desperately needed. Their vision was clear: to create an organisation that would stand by police officers injured in the line of duty, ensuring they receive fair treatment and support during their most vulnerable times.
In the early days, IODPA was a small, informal group offering advice and support based on personal experiences. However, it quickly became evident that the need for such an organisation was far greater than they had anticipated. Stories began to spread, and more officers reached out, seeking the same support and guidance that had helped those first seven founders. The IODPA grew organically, driven by the shared commitment and dedication of its members.
Today, IODPA is a registered charity with a vast network of former police officers who have found a lifeline in its services. It stands as a beacon of hope and support, providing honest and independent advice to those who have dedicated their lives to protecting others. The charity’s growth is a reflection of its unwavering commitment to its mission: to advocate for injured officers and ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
The success of IODPA lies not just in its ability to offer practical advice, but in its role as a community of shared experiences. Members find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their struggles. The charity has become a trusted resource, offering guidance on navigating the often complex processes related to injury pensions and advocating for fair treatment of injured officers.
As we celebrate a decade of IODPA, we honor the resilience and spirit of those seven officers who unknowingly planted the seeds of a movement that would change the lives of so many. Their story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, good things can emerge. The legacy of IODPA is built on the principles of solidarity, support, and justice, ensuring that no injured officer is left to face their challenges alone.
The past ten years have seen countless success stories, with IODPA members finding the support they need to rebuild their lives. This milestone is not just a celebration of the charity’s achievements but a testament to the power of community and the enduring impact of coming together for a common cause.
As we look to the future, IODPA remains committed to its mission, continuing to grow and adapt to meet the needs of its members. The journey that began in a pub garden has blossomed into a vibrant, supportive community that stands as a pillar of strength for injured police officers across the UK. Here’s to the next decade of IODPA—may it continue to inspire, support, and advocate for those who have given so much in service to their communities.
Congratulations! You will never know just how much you have helped SO many individuals in their quest to gain dignity and justice. Thank you for everything you do to help others’.
Great idea and very supportive
When Morgan and Coley started to attack vulnerable and in some cases seriously ill former police officers, in Staffordshire, purely to save money on the cost of IOD pensions, they didn’t realise that a small group of former Avon & Somerset IOD’s, who had just defeated them in that force, would be willing to travel and offer their help in Staffordshire.
At that time, the Staff’s IOD’s were in a helpless position, without the knowledge needed and with even their own Narpo, apparently working against them. Typically, at that time, Narpo’s message was that Iodpa were ‘ambulance chasers’ and that IOD’s should have nothing to do with them. Basically, they were suggesting that the Staff’s IOD’s, roll over and let Morgan et al do whatever they liked.
Some like me, we’re not satisfied by this response and as a result of a few contacts, a large number of former Staffs officers also held a meeting and joined with Iodpa.
That was in 2017, and although we were not totally successful in our efforts, together we managed to practically stop their 18 month completion target of all IOD’s reviewed and reduced, if over Band 1 being achieved.
The ‘Staff’s 17’ with Iodpa’s help have become famous for their resilience and in some cases continue to pursue the unlawfulness of the Staff’s process to this date with the Pension Ombudsman, whilst the lessons learned have been put to such use both in Staff’s and elsewhere, as to stop unlawful reviews, or to reduce them to ‘cherry picking’ IOD’s, hoping to get then through review without Iodpa hearing about them.
All this is due to that small band of retired A&S officers who continued to support us through some very difficult times and we shall be always in debt to Iodpa for the support given.
Hopefully, we have to some respect repaid some of that debt, by helping Iodpa to grow into the national charity it is today, where it supports not only IOD’s, but those facing ill heath retirement.
From those small beginnings, there are now members throughout the UK & Northern Ireland, with volunteers, both professional and experienced in these matters, helping many new enquirers on a daily basis.
Links have also been forged with other like minded charities, but other than the Police Federation, Narpo, despite its large reserves, continues to apparently ignore the issues surrounding its IOD members, as well as ignoring the potential to do more in partnership together.
Still, that’s a matter for them! Iodpa continues to grow its membership, it get stronger and more wise as each new member adds to the knowledge of how badly police officers who are injured, or ill are treated.
Iodpa continues to challenge those SMP’s (Yes, you know who you are), that think they can ride roughshod over the Regs, purely to gain cash. The charity doesn’t involve itself in campaigns, such as the recent ‘medal’ push, it just continues to support those officers in need.
Whilst the IOD & in some respects, the ill heath retirement processes remain corrupted, and whilst Narpo continues to appear to ignore the issues around IOD’s and ill health, then the need for Iodpa will continue.
I’d happily recommend those brave 7, for some kind of reward, but I doubt the Home Office would agree. So instead, I’ll just say ‘Well done, Iodpa. Here’s to the next 10 years’.
Ex RUC/PSNI. I was medically retired and had to fight for my pension having had it reduced at every review and then subsequently reinstated on appeal. It has been very helpful to have read about others suffering the same plight and how it was resolved.
This site has been invaluable in keeping me up to date and informed. Keep up the good work.
Amazing achievement everyone. IODPA will forever hold a special place for me. They looked after me when everyone else turned their backs. Offered sound advice, put me in touch with the specialists who could assist in my situation and ultimately helped me move on with my life.
Amazing milestone, where does the time go ?
Wishing IODPA team and its members all the best for the future
When I was pensioned off by iod I felt alone not knowing where or whom to ask for help or guidance particularly when my force started to attack my pension. I was extremely luck to be informed about IODPA. With their assistance I knew they had my, not only the safe guard of my pension but also my general health and state of mind. The main assistance came when a review was asked the IODPA guided me through what the doctor would only be able to know about my health.
Although not one of those original seven I was privileged to attend the meetings at a small village hall near Weston Super Mare as numbers grew. What the IODPA has become and achieved is a testament to those original officers and a certain few who now travel all over the country giving up their time to assist medically retired or retiring officers, it is outstanding 👏👏👏👏
Congratulations on your first ten years!
Ten years, the magnificent 7! “Never has so much been owed by so many to so few” . Thank you for being there…..
Those passages are a hugely powerful acknowledgement of an extraordinary organisation and yet still not enough.
I know from continuing personal experience how vital IODPA are and the incredible people associated with the charity. We all probably associate charity with giving and that is central to what IODPA do, but they also take on our problems, our issues and our emotions and do so with unwavering empathy and courage.
Thank you IODPA, you are exceptional.
Many congratulations to all concerned and wish you all the very best for the future.
The statement still holds true – long may it be so! Thank you for your vision, commitment, passion and support.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead.
Thank you IODPA for your support. We lost the Staffordshire case but in our hearts and minds we were the true winners because of the might of IODPA and its membership
Well done to the founders and all who have contributed to helping along the way. I honestly cannot imagine what state I’d be in if I hadn’t been able to reach out to the community here. I have not needed help directly so far but just reading and hearing the stories of the journeys people have had, the community that rallied together and the achievements made on behalf of us all is wonderful.