25/07/2013

High Court Rules Forced Retirement Of Police Unlawful

The High Court has ruled that the mandatory retirement of police officers after 30 years of service is unlawful.

It is understood that following a 20% budget cut a number of officers have been forced to retire under regulation A19.

Regulation A19 means regular police officers, other than a chief officer of police, deputy chief constable or assistant chief constable can be required to retire after 30 years' service "in the general interests of efficiency".

However, the Police Superintendents' Association for England and Wales (PSAEW) argued that the retiring of older officers would not result in major savings.

The PSAEW sought the judical review when three of its members, previously employed by Bedfordshire Police, were forcibly retired.

They will now decide if they will seek an appeal in connection with the forced retirements.

(MH/CD)

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