Can Police
Cancel a Rest Day?
A definitive guide to Annex U, the 15-day rule, compensation triggers, and the legal limits of management power regarding your time off.
Notice: Independent explanatory guidance based on Police Regulations 2003. Not legal advice.
Executive Summary
Management can cancel your rest day for operational necessity, but notice periods dictate your compensation.
- Under 15 Days Notice: Choice of 1.5x pay or TOIL.
- 15+ Days Notice: Re-rostered rest day only.
- Recall Min: 4-hour min. payment if already started.
- Authority: Governed by Annex U & Regulation 22.
Can Police Cancel Your Rest Day?
Yes. Under the Police Regulations 2003 (specifically Regulation 22 and Annex U), a Chief Officer has the authority to require any officer to perform duty on a day that was previously rostered as a rest day.
Consent is not required; this is a lawful order. However, the amount of notice you receive determines whether you get paid at a premium rate or simply get a replacement day off later in the year.
Section 1: The 15-Day Rule & Notice
Short Notice
Under 15 Days
If notice is given less than 15 clear days before the rest day, you are entitled to compensation for all hours worked on that day at the rate of time-and-a-half (1.5x).
Officer's Choice:
You choose between Payment or TOIL.
Long Notice
15 Days or More
If notice is given 15 days or more in advance, you are only entitled to have that rest day re-rostered to a different day. There is no additional payment or premium rate.
Statutory Requirement:
The force must give you a replacement day off.
Recall to Duty on a Rest Day
There is a critical distinction between being told in advance and being called in while you are already at home.
Recall to Duty occurs when you have already started your rest day (it is after your previous shift's end-time) and you are directed to return to work.
The 4-Hour Rule (Annex U):
If recalled, you are entitled to a minimum of 4 hours pay at the rate of 1.5x, even if the actual work performed takes only 20 minutes. Travel time to and from the station also counts as duty time.
Warning: To qualify for the minimum 4 hours, your rest day must have technically commenced. If you are told while still on duty that you must work the following morning, this is a cancellation, not a recall to duty.
The Multiplier: Compensation Rates
| Days Notice | Status | Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 Days | Short Notice Cancellation | 1.5x Pay or TOIL |
| 15+ Days | Standard Roster Change | Re-rostered day only |
| After RD Start | Recall to Duty | 1.5x (Min. 4hrs) + Travel |
Real-World Scenarios
The Football Match Aid
An officer is told 12 days before a major football match that their Saturday rest day is cancelled for mutual aid deployment.
The 16-Day Notification
A roster variation is published on the force Intranet exactly 16 clear days in advance of a known state visit. Your rest day is moved to the following Tuesday.
The Spontaneous Support Recall
A critical incident breaks out at 3 AM. A supervisor calls your personal phone on your rest day and requires you to attend for immediate support.
What Forces Cannot Do
- They cannot refuse a replacement rest day if given 15+ days notice.
- They cannot choose TOIL for you (under 15 days notice, the choice is the officer's).
- They cannot ignore the Mandatory 11-hour rest period (WTR) without emergency justification.
- They cannot revoke a rest day once worked (it must be re-rostered or paid).
Common Questions
Can police cancel a rest day without notice?
Yes. Police officers are office holders and must obey lawful orders. A Chief Officer can cancel a rest day for an 'exigency of duty'. However, the amount of notice given directly dictates your compensation entitlement.
What is the 15-day rule for police rest days?
If you receive 15 days or more notice, you are only entitled to a re-rostered rest day. If you receive less than 15 days notice, you can choose between payment at time-and-a-half (1.5x) or time off in lieu at the same rate.
How much pay do you get for a short-notice rest day cancellation?
For notice under 15 days, you are paid at 1.5x (time-and-a-half) for the hours worked. If you are recalled to duty on a rest day (it has already started), you are entitled to a minimum of 4 hours pay at 1.5x.
What counts as an 'exigency of duty' for cancelling rest days?
It must be a pressing requirement that cannot be met through routine roster management. Examples include major disorder, unforeseen critical incidents, or a spike in demand that threatens public safety. Routine staffing gaps do not always meet this high threshold.
This guide is maintained for informational purposes based on Police Regulations 2003 and Annex U. Forces may have local variations in how compensation is processed. Always consult your local Police Federation representative for individual legal or conduct advice.