Leave Cancelled
For Training?
Can you be required to cancel annual leave for training? Understanding recall, compulsion, and operational necessity rules.
Authority: Analysis based on Police Regulations 2003, Annex O, and operational necessity principles.
Executive Summary
Yes — police officers can be required to cancel annual leave.
But only under specific circumstances.
Training alone does not automatically justify recall.
Operational necessity is the key test.
Cancelled for Training?
Police can recall you from annual leave under operational necessity.
However, routine training is rarely sufficient justification unless genuinely unavoidable.
The Legal Basis
Police annual leave is governed by:
- 01
Police Regulations 2003
Framework for leave entitlements and cancellation.
- 02
Annex O (Leave)
Specific provisions for annual leave management.
- 03
Operational Necessity Principles
Common law test for recall justification.
Annual leave is an entitlement — but not absolute. The Chief Officer may cancel leave if operational necessity requires it.
What Is Operational Necessity?
An urgent, unforeseeable situation requiring immediate deployment.
Examples:
Terror event, natural disaster
Riots, large-scale protests
Sudden collapse in minimum staffing
State-level crisis response
Routine training is usually foreseeable.
Can Training Justify Cancellation?
Generally: No.
Scheduled training should not override pre-approved leave.
However, exceptions may apply if:
- National emergency training mandate
- Firearms requalification expiry
- Public order certification deadline
- Legal compliance deadline
Even then: Force must consider fairness and proportionality.
Notice Matters
If training is:
- Known months in advance
- But leave was approved first
→ Cancellation may be unreasonable
If training was:
- Newly mandated by national directive
- And unavoidable
→ Cancellation may be lawful
Compensation Rules
If leave is cancelled, you are entitled to:
If already on leave when recalled, you may be entitled to enhanced rates.
What They CAN Do
- Cancel leave in operational emergency
- Require attendance at mandatory training
- Recall you if public safety risk exists
What They CANNOT Do
- Cancel leave casually for convenience
- Override leave because "training slots are tight"
- Use recall as discipline
- Ignore pre-approved travel commitments without review
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1 – Public Order Re-Cert
National protest announced. Officer certification expired. Recall lawful.
Scenario 2 – Routine CPD Session
Mandatory e-learning. Training known months in advance. Leave cancelled at short notice.
Scenario 3 – Firearms Officer
Licence about to lapse. Recall may be lawful if immediate expiry threatens capability.
Can You Refuse?
Refusal of lawful recall could trigger misconduct.
However:
If recall is not genuinely operationally necessary, you may:
- Raise grievance
- Seek Federation support
- Comply under protest
Equality & Welfare
If leave relates to:
- Pre-booked wedding
- Medical appointment
- Protected characteristic
Force must consider Equality Act obligations.
Common Questions
Can police cancel leave for training?
Yes — but only if operational necessity justifies it. Routine training alone is rarely sufficient justification.
Does training count as operational necessity?
Not automatically. Scheduled training should not override pre-approved leave unless there are exceptional circumstances like national emergency mandates or critical certification deadlines.
Are you paid if recalled?
Yes — depending on circumstances. You are entitled to reinstated leave, compensation under regulation, or overtime if recalled to duty.
Can they cancel leave repeatedly?
Chronic cancellation may breach fairness obligations and could be challenged through grievance procedures.
What if I've booked flights?
Financial loss does not automatically prevent cancellation, but should be considered as part of the proportionality assessment.