Appeal to support the officers/pensioners of RUC/PSNI
Having recently held a number of meetings in Northern Ireland we were shocked at just how badly the regulations were being administered. Our findings are summarised in our recent blog -
https://iodpa.org/2024/10/24/psni-ruc-injury-awards-and-appeals/
It became clear that significant challenges remain in how the PSNI is handling cases involving officers caught up in the appeal process. As a result, we are launching a new fundraising campaign to support potential legal challenges, which we anticipate may lead to a judicial review.
Our concerns centre around how the RUC/PSNI is managing the appeals, particularly their failure to follow their own guidance on time scales. This has resulted in many vulnerable and poorly officers becoming lost within the system, with little clarity on when their appeals will be resolved. In fact, there are numerous cases of officers who have been waiting for more than twelve months for their appeals to be heard, and some have been left in limbo for over many many years. This situation is unacceptable, and we believe that a judicial review may be necessary to address these systemic failures.
Of course, we have concerns that if PSNI continues to flout the regulations unchallenged in order to save money, other forces may decide that it is advantageous to follow suit, so we believe that it's in everyone's interests to enforce the regulations.
The membership has a proud history of coming together to stand up for what is right, and this campaign is no exception. Around six years ago, your incredible generosity allowed us to raise over £130,000 for the Staffordshire judicial review, demonstrating the strength of our community when we unite for a common cause. This time, our target is £60,000. We believe this is a reachable goal with your continued support, and it will go a long way in ensuring that our members receive the fair treatment they deserve.
We understand that times are challenging, and not everyone may be in a position to donate. However, every contribution, no matter how small, will help us move closer to our goal. We are committed to being transparent with how the funds are utilised, and we will keep you updated on the progress of the campaign and any developments regarding the legal action.
Cash Donations
You can donate directly to us here - https://iodpa.org/donations-and-fundraising/
Can you please put a note on the donation as 'legal fund' or PSNI so that we keep these donations separate from other donations.
In addition to direct donations, we will also be organising various fundraising events over the coming months. Please check back here on a regular basis. These events will serve not only as a way to increase our funds but also as an opportunity for our community to come together and offer support to those who are still fighting their battles. We will provide more details on these events soon, and we encourage all members to participate in any way they can.
Raffles
We have a number of raffles with some fantastic prizes coming soon!
Any unused funds from this campaign will be placed into our 'Legal' account to support future legal challenges, similar to how we managed the remaining funds from the Staffordshire judicial review. This will ensure that we are prepared to take action whenever needed to protect the rights of our members.
As always, we are grateful for your unwavering commitment and support. It is through your solidarity that we have been able to make a difference for so many officers in the past, and we are confident that, together, we can do so once more. We urge you to join us in this effort to ensure that no officer is left behind in the appeal process and that the PSNI is held accountable for their actions.