Peter’s story
Having waited two years from applying for an IOD pension from the PSNI with minimal progress, I was disillusioned and disappointed with my Belfast based legal representation.
Thankfully, a former PSNI colleague advised me to seek assistance from IODPA, Mark Botham and Ron Thompson.
Within approximately 6 month I have been awarded a Deferred Pension and appropriate IOD Banding. Without Mark and Ron acting on my behalf, I do not believe this would have happened. They have taken the NIPB’s questionable Police Pension procedures to task, and rebutted excuses and poor administration with stiff legal responses and an impressive knowledge of the relevant pension legislation.
Before I had felt lost and ignored in a system where I had no voice. Mark and Ron are a voice for all those injured colleagues who need them. I am beyond grateful for their help.
Great to know we have people who will bring the NIPB to task.
I am proud to be a member and supporter of IODPA.
That small band of agreived Avon & Somerset officers through their initial efforts and then by reaching out to others, has meant that Iodpa grew and became a national charity in 2017.
Iodpa now covers every police force in the UK, including Northern Ireland.
Iodpa continues to grow and as a result, becomes stronger. As it does, it means that there is no reason why any Officer, either retired, or serving should suffer alone. They can now all come and seek advice and help.
This growth has been down mainly to word of mouth, because all other routes appeared barred to us.
There are now clear routes for help and the legal advice available is 1st Class.
Our job as members, or supporters, is to continue to spread this message of hope to those serving & retired who have either been pushed, or have fallen by the wayside.
There is a path to justice and every police officer, serving, or retired, needs to know this.
So pleased that Ron and Mark of IOD Ltd have acquired justice for you, hopefully they will be able to do likewise for others in your locality.
Hi Peter, I’m so pleased for you. I would not be here without Mark Botham and Ron Thompson.
I must make special mention to Mark as he went above and beyond and I will never, ever forget the fight and determination shown to help me achieve justice, which including my injury award, took around 5 years to finalise. Ron and Mark provide a much needed service to all vulnerable and lost officers who, not only struggle to battle the regulations but the unfair and corrupt practices that continually go on.
Peter, I wish you a peaceful and healthy retirement
Mark represented me after another solicitor said that I didn’t have a case. 10 YEARS after an unlawful decision, it was put right!
So grateful that these wonderful people are here and willing to help with their expertise. Sorry you had to suffer in the first place Peter. Thank you again to IOPDA.
Pleased you got it sorted..can I ask how much it actually cost you for their service …
This is pleasing to read. I won my Appeal almost a year to the day in 2024. Because of the poor system of the administration and failure to answer relevant questions around my banding, I am forced to attend another Appeal in August.
There is a hugh risk in doing this because the decision could be overturned but it’s about fairness for all officers who have been let down by the system.
It’s great to see that the IODPA is continuing to support officers throughout the UK, having started from such humble beginnings it is now a force to be reckoned with, keep up the good work.
With RON and MARK firmly at the helm you will be guided correctly through the maze and haze of the police pensions regulations and the perverse issues of deliberate delay and maladministration designed to cast a smoke screen over what should be a straight forward process in securing remedy for injuries sustained in the course of duty.
This just goes illustrate how important IODPA is to injured Officers being bullied and manipulated by an organisation determined not to pay.
WELL DONE to all.
You can literally feel Peter’s relief following this result
I’m very glad you have achieved the right outcome for you Peter. The IODPA are an exceptional organisation and glad they and Mark and Ron have enabled the right outcome.
Great to see you’ve finally got what you deserve. I happen to know both Mark and Ron both excellent guys! Hopefully slot of weight has been taken from your shoulders
Exactly 9 years from retirement before PBNI awarded me the correct banding and back paid it to date of retirement. I wish someone had advised me about Mark and Ron back then. Congratulations on your retirement.
Good work Ron & Mark. Why are the PSNI so bad at this?
You are lucky and glad you got your injury pension. I applied for IOD pension in 2017 SMP said not IOD after 6 years and three PMAB’s awarded band 2 IOD pension. I did not pay into police pension scheme but now I don’t receive an iod pension as they deducting me a hypothetical police pension to give me a nil award been with the pensions ombudsman for over a year now so living off state benefits and not had iod pension for over five and a half years
Unfortunately, the Regulations require them, under Schedule 3 6(3) to deduct a hypothetical pension if you are not paying into a pension scheme.
I get that but at the end of the day the pension scheme is a financial product which people have the right to opt in or out and not be penalised for opting out. Hence why this is with the pensions ombudsman for a ruling
It’s great you got the help you needed. Sadly I did it all by myself after I reached out to Ron and to be frank they didn’t seem interested in my case.