Resigning From
The Police
How much notice you give, what happens to your pay and leave, what your pension becomes in each scheme, what stops on your last day, and what changes if you are a probationer or have a conduct matter open. Written from the regulations, with the gaps marked.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 30 September 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
Most officers give one month's written notice under the Home Office determination made under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003; chief officer ranks give three months, and shorter notice can be accepted. With 2 years' qualifying service your pension is kept as a deferred pension, not lost, but 2015 scheme service is then normally paid at State Pension age, not 60.
How to resign from the police: the rule and the notice period
There is no regulation headed "resignation" in the Police Regulations 2003. Voluntary leaving is dealt with by regulation 14 (retirement), which lets the Home Secretary set the notice required, allow shorter notice to be accepted and require the chief officer's consent before notice is given. The Regulations use "retire" for any voluntary leaving: regulation 13(3), for example, describes a probationer who chooses to go as giving "notice ... of his intention to retire". The notice itself is set in the Home Office determination under regulation 14, known as Annex D.
Annex D says a member of a police force may retire only after giving the police pension authority one month's written notice, or such shorter notice as that authority has accepted. Under section 11(2) of the Police Pensions Act 1976 the police pension authority for a Home Office force is the chief constable (the Commissioner in the Met, and the Common Council for the City of London). For chief officer ranks the notice is three months.
| Who | Notice required | Who can accept less | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constables, sergeants, inspectors, chief inspectors, superintendents and chief superintendents | One month's written notice of intention to retire (the Regulations use "retire" for any voluntary leaving, including resigning) | The police pension authority, which for a Home Office force is the chief constable (the Commissioner in the Met) | Police Regulations 2003 reg 14; Home Office determination, Annex D para 1 |
| Chief officers, deputy and assistant chief constables, Met deputy/assistant/deputy assistant commissioners, commanders in the Met and City of London | Three months' written notice | For a chief officer, the pension supervising authority (the local policing body) | Annex D paras 2 and 3; Police Pensions Act 1976 s.11(2) |
| Anyone accepting a Compensation Lump Sum under a voluntary exit scheme | Three months' notice to the chief officer, treated as given when you accept the offer | Not stated | Annex D para 3 (2013 text) |
| A probationer who has been given notice of discharge under reg 13 | Can give notice to retire on or before the discharge date and the force must accept it even if it is less than a month | Must be accepted (reg 13(3)) | Police Regulations 2003 reg 13(3)-(4) |
The notice rule is the same whether you are leaving for another job, to travel, or for any other reason, and it does not depend on your length of service. You do not have to give a reason, although many forces ask for one for their records or an exit interview.
"Police officer resignation letter" is a common search, but most forces now route notice through an HR form or online process. Whatever the format, make sure it records:
- Your name, rank, collar or warrant number, team and station or department.
- A clear statement that you are giving notice of your intention to leave (retire) under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003.
- The date the notice is given and your intended last day of service.
- Any request to leave on shorter notice, so it can be accepted in writing.
- A request for your annual leave position, how TOIL and rest days owed will be dealt with, and a breakdown of final pay.
- A request for a pension statement or leaver pack from your pension administrator.
- A contact address and personal email for post-service letters, including your deferred pension statements.
Keep a copy and a record of when and to whom it was sent.
Withdrawing notice. Neither regulation 14 nor Annex D says anything about withdrawing notice once given. Whether you can change your mind is therefore a matter for your force. Some published force policies say notice cannot be withdrawn without a senior manager's agreement. If you think you might want to withdraw, say so in writing as soon as possible.
Leaving on less than a month. Shorter notice has to be accepted, so ask rather than assume. For 1987 scheme members this matters for the pension too: regulation B1(2) says the 1987 ordinary pension does not apply to someone who retires without the month's notice (or shorter notice accepted) unless the authority decides it should.
Your leaving date: final pay, annual leave and time off in lieu
Your pay and pensionable service run to your last day of service. Three things usually need settling in final pay.
Resigning during probation
Probationers resign in the same way, on the same notice. The differences are about the force's power to discharge you, and your pension.
- How long probation lasts. Regulation 12 leaves the period to a Home Office determination. The current determination (Annex C, as republished with Circular 009/2024) sets the first 2 years of service as a constable, or 3 years on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship, with a chief officer power to extend in a particular case.
- Discharge. Under regulation 13 the chief officer can dispense with a probationer's services if they consider them not fitted, physically or mentally, for the duties, or not likely to become efficient or well conducted. You are entitled to one month's notice or a month's pay in lieu.
- Resigning instead of being discharged. Regulation 13(3) says your services are not dispensed with if you give written notice and leave on or before the date the discharge would take effect, and that the notice must be accepted even if it is less than a month. Regulation 13(4) keeps your right to pay until the month's notice would have expired, or to the pay in lieu. Whether that route is right for you is a question for your Federation rep, not us.
- Pension. If you are in the 2015 scheme and leave with less than 2 years' qualifying service, you get a refund of your contributions less tax (reg 176), not a deferred pension. PCDA probationers can pass the 2-year pension line while still in probation. If you opted out within 3 months of starting, you are treated as never having been in the scheme (reg 31).
- Coming back later. The rejoiner rules in regulation 10B cover people who completed probation and then resigned or retired. Someone who left during probation is not a rejoiner under 10B; as far as the Regulations show, they would be appointed as a new constable with a new probation period under regulation 12. How a force treats partly completed degree study is a matter for that force.
What happens to your police pension when you resign, scheme by scheme
Resigning does not take away pension you have built up. What changes is when it is paid and how it grows. Since 1 April 2022 every serving officer builds up new pension in the 2015 scheme, so most people leaving now have a 2015 scheme part, and many also have a 1987 or 2006 part. Each part follows its own scheme's rules. For how the schemes work generally, see our police pension schemes explained guide.
| 2015 scheme (CARE) | 2006 scheme (NPPS) | 1987 scheme (PPS) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum service for a deferred pension | 2 years' qualifying service (reg 43(2)(c)) | 2 years' qualifying service (regs 17(3) and 32) | 2 years, per the LPPA administrators' leaver guidance (the legislation.gov.uk text of reg B5 still shows 5 years and is not fully updated) |
| Less than that | Refund of your contributions less tax (reg 176) | Refund of aggregate contributions (reg 34) | Refund (ask your administrator for the exact basis) |
| If you leave before the scheme's earliest retirement age, the deferred pension is paid at | Your State Pension age (reg 91(2); Public Service Pensions Act 2013 s.10) | Age 65 (reg 32(4)) | Age 60 (reg B5(4)), unless you have 25+ years' service (see next row) |
| Earlier payment | From normal minimum pension age (55) with an actuarial reduction measured from State Pension age (regs 50, 91(4)) | From 55 with an actuarial reduction, on one month's written notice (reg 33) | With 25+ years' pensionable service you get an ordinary pension, paid from age 50; with 30+ years it is payable at any age (reg B1(5)) |
| If you are already at the earliest retirement age when you leave | At 55 or over you can claim straight away, reduced from normal pension age 60 (regs 50(3)(a), 90) | At 55 or over, leaving on notice counts as voluntary retirement with an immediate pension (regs 18, 27) | 25 years' service and age 50, or 30 years at any age: immediate ordinary pension, provided you gave the month's notice (reg B1(2)) |
| Early payment on health grounds | If a selected medical practitioner reports you permanently unfit for any regular employment (reg 91(3)) | If permanently disabled for any regular employment (reg 32(4)) | If you become permanently disabled (reg B5(4)) |
| Increases after you leave | CPI only (the Home Office members' leaflet); the CPI + 1.25% in-service revaluation stops | Pensions increase in line with CPI each April (LPPA leaver guidance) | Pensions increase in line with CPI each April (LPPA leaver guidance) |
Normal pension age in the 2015 scheme is 60 for officers who retire from service (Public Service Pensions Act 2013 s.10). But the same section sets a separate deferred pension age for people who leave: State Pension age, or 65 if higher. The 2015 regulations follow that. If you resign before 55, your 2015 pension is paid at your State Pension age (reg 91(2)), and if you ask for it earlier, from 55, the actuarial reduction is measured from State Pension age (reg 50(1)(b) and (3)(b)), not from 60. You can check your own State Pension age on GOV.UK.
2015 scheme. You become a deferred member if you leave before State Pension age, do not start drawing a pension, and have at least 2 years' qualifying service (reg 43). Your deferred account carries the pension you have built up. The Home Office members' leaflet says that after you leave your pension is increased each year by CPI only; the extra 1.25% a year that active members get stops. If you are 55 or over when you leave, regulation 90 lets you claim straight away, with a reduction measured from normal pension age 60. The Police Federation's CARE scheme page puts the reduction at 55 at around 20%. If you are 55 or over but choose not to claim, the Federation says the pension is deferred to State Pension age.
2006 scheme. With 2 years' qualifying service, leaving before 55 gives a deferred pension payable at 65 (reg 32(4)). You can elect to take it from 55 with an actuarial reduction, giving at least one month's written notice (reg 33). If you are 55 or over and leave on proper notice, you are retiring voluntarily under regulation 18 and your ordinary pension is payable immediately (reg 27).
1987 scheme. If you leave with at least 25 years' pensionable service you get the ordinary pension (reg B1). With under 30 years it is not paid before age 50; with 30 years or more it can be paid at any age. The Police Federation says the 25 and 30 year counts are "across the schemes", so 2015 scheme service counts towards them. With less than 25 years, you get a deferred pension payable at 60 (reg B5(4)). The 1987 regulations on legislation.gov.uk are not held in fully revised form: reg B5 still reads "5 years", while the administrators' leaver guidance we read says 2 years. Rely on your administrator's statement.
If your health fails after you leave. All three schemes can pay a deferred pension early, without the usual reduction, if you become permanently unfit for any regular employment (2015 reg 91(3), 2006 reg 32(4), 1987 reg B5(4)). That is a stricter test than ill-health retirement from service, which looks at police duties. If a health problem is part of why you are leaving, read our ill-health retirement guide before you resign.
Normal minimum pension age. The earliest age for taking a pension without a tax charge, currently 55, rises to 57 from 6 April 2028. HM Treasury's policy paper says members of the police, firefighters' and armed forces public service schemes are not affected. We could not confirm how that exemption applies to someone who has left and later claims a deferred police pension early, so ask your administrator if you plan to claim before 57.
Illustrative example: a 2015 deferred pension and a refund
Deferred pension. Suppose an officer who joined the 2015 scheme has pensionable pay of £45,000 in each of 6 full scheme years and then resigns aged 35. Each year adds 1/55.3 of pensionable pay: £45,000 / 55.3 = about £814 a year of pension. Over 6 years that is about £4,882 a year of pension, before revaluation.
While the officer was serving, each year's slice was revalued by CPI plus 1.25%, so the real figure at leaving would be a little higher than this. After leaving, it rises by CPI only, which broadly keeps its buying power. So, in today's money, this officer would expect roughly £4,882 a year from their State Pension age, index-linked for life, plus the option of a tax-free lump sum by giving up some pension. Taking it from 55 instead would mean a large actuarial reduction measured from State Pension age; we have not put a number on that because the factors come from actuarial tables that change and the administrator's quote is what counts.
Refund. Suppose instead a new officer with pensionable pay of £32,000 leaves after 18 months. At the 12.88% contribution rate that applies from 1 April 2026 for that pay, their contributions would total about £6,182. The short service refund charge takes 20% of the first £20,000, about £1,236, leaving about £4,946. Rates before April 2026 were different, so a real refund covering earlier months would use the rates at the time.
These are round numbers to show the method, not a forecast. Use our pension calculator for your own figures, and the leaving cost calculator to see how much accrual you give up by leaving now rather than later.
Refunds, transfers out and transfer values
Refunds. In the 2015 scheme a refund is only available if you leave with less than 2 years' qualifying service (reg 176). It returns your own contributions and any added pension payments, with the short service refund charge deducted: HMRC's manual gives 20% on the first £20,000 and 50% on anything above. Once refunded, your rights for that period are extinguished. The 2006 scheme has an equivalent rule (reg 34). With 2 years or more you cannot choose a refund instead of a deferred pension.
Transfers out. As a deferred member you can ask for a statement of entitlement showing a cash equivalent transfer value (CETV). What you can do with it is limited. Since 6 April 2015 section 95 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 has only allowed transfers out of unfunded public service defined benefit schemes, which include the police schemes, where the receiving scheme will not provide flexible benefits. In practice that rules out moving police pension into a personal pension or SIPP to draw it flexibly. Transfers to other defined benefit schemes, including public service schemes under club arrangements, may be possible.
Section 48 of the Pension Schemes Act 2015 requires schemes to check that a member has taken appropriate independent advice before safeguarded benefits, such as a defined benefit pension, are converted or transferred into flexible benefits. The FCA says that if the value of a defined benefit pension is more than £30,000 you must, by law, get advice from a regulated financial adviser. For police pensions the flexible route is generally closed anyway, but any transfer of a guaranteed pension is hard to reverse, so get an FCA-authorised adviser's view and the administrator's statement first. Our transfer guide covers the mechanics.
If you rejoin a police force later
Some officers leave and come back. The Regulations and the 2015 pension rules both allow for that.
- Rank and probation. A former officer who completed probation and resigned or retired is a rejoiner under regulation 10B. The appointing chief officer decides the rank. The Home Office determination sets a shorter rejoiner probation, at least 6 months where the gap is under 12 months and 12 months otherwise (or on a different rank), with some chief officer discretion.
- 2015 scheme deferred pension. If you rejoin after a gap of 5 years or less, the scheme closes your deferred account as if it had never existed and re-opens your active account, treating the gap as pensionable service with no earnings (reg 67). The Home Office administrators' guide says the same. After a longer gap you keep the old deferred pension and build a new one.
- Refunds. If you took a refund and rejoin after a gap of 5 years or less, you can repay it within 6 months of rejoining, or any longer time the scheme manager allows, and have that earlier service restored (reg 177).
- Legacy service. The 1987 and 2006 schemes are closed, so a rejoiner builds new pension in the 2015 scheme. Schedule 4 to the 2015 regulations has separate "continuity of service" rules that decide whether legacy benefits keep a link to later pay. We could not confirm how those rules apply to a gap that starts now; ask your administrator before relying on it.
Service in the McCloud remedy period
If you were in a police pension scheme on or before 31 March 2012 and on or after 1 April 2015, without a gap of more than 5 years, your service from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2022 has been moved back into your legacy scheme. The Home Office's 2023 government response says the deferred choice applies to members not yet receiving those benefits, including deferred members: at retirement you choose whether that period is calculated on legacy or 2015 scheme rules, and you get a Remediable Service Statement to decide from.
Resigning does not remove that choice. It does mean the legacy and 2015 versions of the remedy period can have different payment ages, so ask for a Remediable Service Statement based on your leaving date. See the McCloud remedy explained and our guide to contingent decisions and opt-out reinstatement. We have not verified how every deferred member's choice window is administered in practice.
What ends on your last day, and what does not
Resigning with a misconduct matter pending
You can resign while under investigation. What you cannot do is make a gross misconduct allegation go away by leaving. The headline rules, checked against the current legislation:
- No consent needed. From January 2015 to December 2017 an officer under investigation needed the appropriate authority's consent to resign or retire (reg 10A of the 2012 Conduct Regulations). That was removed on 15 December 2017, and the Home Office amended Annex D at the same time so that the bar on resigning while suspended applies only to cases still under the 2004 or 2008 Conduct Regulations.
- Former officers can still face gross misconduct proceedings. Regulation 4 of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 applies the Regulations to a former officer where an allegation indicates gross misconduct and: the allegation came to notice before you left (Condition A); it came to notice within 12 months after you left (Condition B); or it came to notice later and the IOPC's Director General decides proceedings would be reasonable and proportionate (Condition C). This does not apply to anyone who left before 15 December 2017.
- The outcome. For a former officer, the question is whether you would have been dismissed had you still been serving. If so, the force must report you to the College of Policing and you go on the police barred list (Police Act 1996 ss.88A and 88B).
- The advisory list. If you resign after an allegation that could have led to dismissal came to the force's attention, but before proceedings are brought or concluded, the force must report you for the police advisory list (s.88I), unless it had already decided before you resigned that no proceedings would be brought.
- Pension. Neither resigning nor a misconduct finding forfeits a police pension. In the 2015 scheme, forfeiture needs a conviction: for an offence connected with police service, the Home Secretary must also certify it as gravely injurious to the State or liable to lead to serious loss of confidence in the police (reg 211). See what happens to your pension if dismissed.
For the process in more depth see can I resign before a misconduct hearing? and the barred list explained. If you have a live matter, talk to your Federation or staff association representative before you give notice.
Resigning, retiring, ill-health retirement or transferring
People often say "resign" when another route fits better. These are the main ways to stop serving in your current force, and how they differ.
| Route | Who decides | Pension effect | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resigning | You, on notice under reg 14 and Annex D | Deferred pension (or refund under 2 years); immediate pension only if you have reached the scheme's earliest retirement point | Leaving for another job or for personal reasons before pension age |
| Voluntary retirement | You, on the same notice | Immediate pension if you meet the scheme's conditions (for example 55 in the 2006 and 2015 schemes, 25 years and 50 or 30 years in the 1987 scheme) | Leaving at or after the scheme's earliest retirement point |
| Ill-health retirement | The police pension authority, on a selected medical practitioner's report | Ill-health pension, possibly enhanced; not reduced for early payment | Permanently unable to perform the ordinary duties of a police officer. See our ill-health retirement guide |
| Transferring to another force | Both chief officers | No break: your pension continues (2015 reg 88; the leave rule in Annex O para 6 excludes an immediate transfer) | Moving area while staying a police officer. See transferring between forces |
If you are within reach of an immediate pension, timing can change the outcome a lot. Our can I retire at 55 guide covers that decision. For life after leaving, see the leaving the police hub, transferable skills and jobs for ex-police officers.
Before you resign: a month-by-month checklist
A practical sequence, assuming the standard one month's notice. Start earlier if you can; the pension answers take longest.
- Three months or more before. Ask your pension administrator for a benefit statement and a leaver estimate at your intended date, including each scheme you have service in. If you have McCloud remedy period service, ask for a Remediable Service Statement. Check whether you are near a threshold: 2 years' qualifying service, age 55, or 25 or 30 years in the 1987 scheme. Run your numbers through the leaving cost calculator.
- Two months before. Check for anything open: conduct matters, performance procedures, injury on duty records you may need later, and any repayable costs. Ask your Federation branch what happens to group insurance and legal cover if you resign. If you rely on death-in-service cover, price private life cover while you are still in service and well.
- Six weeks before. Ask HR for your leave position and how TOIL and rest days in lieu will be handled. Agree with your line manager how to use them during notice. Get any offer from a new employer in writing before you hand in notice.
- One month before (notice day). Give written notice under regulation 14, stating your last day. Ask in the same document for anything you want: shorter notice, a leave plan, a final pay breakdown and a pension leaver pack. Keep a copy.
- During notice. Take agreed leave. Collect copies of your training records, qualifications and appraisals that you may need for civilian jobs. Check your final pay estimate, including any leave payment or recovery. Arrange the return of uniform, equipment and warrant card.
- Last day. Confirm your forwarding address and personal email with HR and the pension administrator. Keep your last payslip and P45.
- After you leave. Check the deferred pension or refund statement against the estimate. Diarise when each part becomes payable. Tell insurers about the change of occupation.
What to ask your pension administrator and your force
Your pension administrator (who may be the force or an outsourced provider) holds the pension answers. HR and payroll hold the pay and leave answers. Ask each for the figures in writing.
| Ask | Who | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| A current benefit statement showing each scheme you have service in, and your qualifying service | Pension administrator | Confirms whether you are over the 2-year line and how much is legacy and how much is 2015 scheme |
| The deferred pension figure at your leaving date, and the age each part becomes payable | Pension administrator | Legacy and 2015 parts can have different payment ages |
| An early payment quote (with the actuarial reduction) at the age you might claim | Pension administrator | Reductions come from actuarial tables that change from time to time |
| A Remediable Service Statement, if you have service between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2022 | Pension administrator | The McCloud choice is made at retirement, including for deferred members |
| A statement of entitlement (transfer value) if you are considering a transfer, and what schemes can receive it | Pension administrator | Transfers to schemes offering flexible benefits are restricted for unfunded public service schemes |
| Whether a refund applies and how much tax is deducted | Pension administrator | Refunds apply under 2 years; the short service refund charge is deducted before payment |
| Your leave year, days taken and days owed on your proposed last day | Force HR / payroll | Annex O para 6 sets the pro rata rule; force policy decides how it is settled |
| How TOIL, rest days in lieu and bank holidays in lieu are dealt with when you leave | Force HR / line manager | We found no national rule for these on leaving |
| Whether your force will accept shorter notice, and how to withdraw notice if you change your mind | Force HR | The regulations allow shorter notice to be accepted but say nothing about withdrawal |
| Any money you owe (overpayments, course fees, uniform and equipment return) | Force HR / payroll | Sums owed can be recovered from final pay; check the figure before your last day |
| Whether any conduct matter, allegation or notice is open | Professional Standards, via your Federation rep | Former officers can still face gross misconduct proceedings, and resigning during an allegation triggers an advisory list report |
| What happens to group insurance and legal cover if you resign rather than retire | Your Federation branch | Schemes differ by branch and often describe retirement only |
Who can help: your Police Federation or staff association representative (conduct, procedure, leave disputes); your pension administrator (statements and quotes); an FCA-authorised financial adviser for any transfer or complex pension decision; and MoneyHelper for free, impartial pensions guidance.
What people get wrong about resigning
What we could not verify, and how we handled it
- A current consolidated Annex D. The Home Office does not publish one we could find. We used the January 2013 compilation of the determinations and the Home Office's December 2017 amendment, and found no later change to the notice rule. Check with HR that nothing has changed since.
- Withdrawing notice. Not covered by the regulations or determination we read. Force policies differ; we could not open the West Yorkshire policy listed in search results (access blocked), so we do not quote it.
- TOIL and rest days on leaving. No national rule found. We say ask your force.
- 1987 scheme detail. The legislation.gov.uk text of the 1987 regulations is not fully updated. We use administrators' guidance for the 2-year qualifying period and did not find an option to take a 1987 deferred pension early with a reduction. Ask your administrator.
- 2006 scheme and suspension. The version of 2006 scheme regulation 18(4) on legislation.gov.uk still says a suspended officer can retire under that regulation only with consent. We could not confirm whether it has been amended to match the 2017 changes. If you are suspended and aged 55 or over, ask your Federation rep.
- Early payment reductions. We give the Federation's "around 20%" at 55 for retiring members, but not a figure for deferred members, because the factors come from tables that change.
- Normal minimum pension age. The rise to 57 in 2028 does not apply to police scheme members; we could not confirm exactly how that applies to deferred members.
- Deferred members' death benefits and McCloud choice windows. Not set out here; ask your administrator.
- Federation membership and group insurance after resigning. No national rule found; branch schemes describe retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the police resignation notice period?
One month's written notice for most officers, under the Home Office determination made under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003 (Annex D). Chief officer ranks, including assistant chief constables and Met and City of London commanders, give three months. The police pension authority, which is normally the chief constable, can accept shorter notice.
How do I resign from the police?
Give written notice of your intention to leave to the police pension authority, in practice through your force's HR process, at least one month before your intended last day (three months for chief officer ranks). State your intended last day, ask for any shorter notice you want in writing, and ask HR how leave, TOIL and final pay will be settled.
If I leave the police what happens to my pension?
With at least 2 years' qualifying service you keep it as a deferred pension, increased each year in line with CPI. It is paid at State Pension age for 2015 scheme service, 65 for 2006 scheme service and 60 for 1987 scheme service, with earlier payment possible in some cases. Under 2 years you get a refund of contributions, less tax.
Is a deferred 2015 police pension paid at 60?
No. Normal pension age 60 applies to officers who retire from service. If you resign, the Police Pensions Regulations 2015 (reg 91) pay your deferred pension at your State Pension age. You can ask for it from 55 but it is actuarially reduced from State Pension age, not from 60.
Can I withdraw my resignation from the police?
The regulations and determination we read do not deal with withdrawing notice, so it is a matter for your force. Some force policies say notice cannot be withdrawn without a senior manager's agreement. Ask HR in writing as early as possible and keep a copy.
Can I resign from the police during probation?
Yes, on the same one month's notice. If your force has already given you notice of discharge under regulation 13, you can resign on or before the discharge date and the force must accept the shorter notice; you keep your entitlement to the month's pay. With less than 2 years' qualifying service, a 2015 scheme member gets a refund of contributions rather than a deferred pension.
Can I resign from the police while under investigation for misconduct?
Yes. The rule requiring consent to resign while under investigation was removed on 15 December 2017. But under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, gross misconduct proceedings can continue after you leave, and a finding that you would have been dismissed puts you on the police barred list. Resigning after an allegation also triggers a report to the advisory list.
Do I get paid for annual leave I have not taken when I resign?
The Home Office determination on annual leave (Annex O para 6) provides for a payment in lieu where the leave you have taken is less than the proportion of the leave year that has passed, and for you to compensate the force if you have taken more. Force policies often expect you to use leave during your notice. Check your figures with HR before your last day.
Can I get my police pension contributions back if I resign?
Only if you leave with less than 2 years' qualifying service (2015 scheme reg 176, 2006 scheme reg 34). The refund is of your own contributions, with the short service refund charge deducted: 20% on the first £20,000 and 50% above that. With 2 years or more you get a deferred pension instead.
Can I transfer my police pension to a private pension when I leave?
Generally not to one offering flexible access. Since 6 April 2015, section 95 of the Pension Schemes Act 1993 has restricted transfers from unfunded public service schemes like the police schemes to schemes providing flexible benefits. Transfers to other defined benefit schemes may be possible; ask your administrator for a statement of entitlement.
What happens to my pension if I rejoin the police?
In the 2015 scheme, if you rejoin after a gap of 5 years or less your deferred account is closed and your service is treated as continuous (reg 67). If you took a refund, you can repay it within 6 months of rejoining after a gap of up to 5 years (reg 177). Legacy scheme service has its own continuity rules, so ask your administrator.
Can I still claim an injury award after resigning?
Regulation 11 of the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006 applies to a person who ceases or has ceased to be a member of a police force and is permanently disabled as a result of an injury received without their own default in the execution of duty. So leaving does not by itself end eligibility, but the medical questions and evidence still have to be met.
What should a police officer resignation letter include?
Your name, rank, collar or warrant number, team and station; a clear statement that you are giving notice of your intention to leave under regulation 14 of the Police Regulations 2003; your intended last day; any request for shorter notice; and a request for your leave position, final pay details and a pension statement. Check whether your force uses its own form.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 30 September 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- Police Regulations 2003, regulation 14 (retirement), latest version (legislation.gov.uk) — notice set by Secretary of State determination; shorter notice may be accepted; chief officer consent may be required (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office determinations under the Police Regulations 2003, compilation January 2013 (hosted by the Police Federation, Cambridgeshire) — Annex D (one month, three months for chief ranks, shorter notice), Annex G (TOIL), text of reg 13 (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office determination under regulation 14, effective 15 December 2017 (gov.uk) — suspension bar in Annex D limited to the 2004 and 2008 Conduct Regulations (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office Circular 012/2017: former officer and barred list regulations and amended retirement determination — officers under investigation can resign and proceedings continue; start date 15 December 2017 (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office: Annex O (amendment), annual leave, in force 1 April 2025 — payment in lieu formula (A x B) - C on leaving; compensation if too much leave taken (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Regulations 2003, regulations 10B, 12 and 13, latest versions (legislation.gov.uk) — rejoiners; probation; discharge of probationers and the right to resign instead (amended by SI 2025/558) (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office Circular 009/2024: changes to Annex C (probation) — 2-year probation, 3 years for the PCDA, rejoiner probation periods (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/445), latest version (legislation.gov.uk) — regs 31, 43, 50, 64 to 67, 88, 90, 91, 176, 177, 211 and Schedule 4 (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Public Service Pensions Act 2013, section 10 — normal pension age 60 for police; deferred pension age is State Pension age or 65 if higher (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/3415), regs 17, 18, 32, 33, 34 (legislation.gov.uk) — deferred pension at 65; early payment from 55 with reduction; refund; retirement at 55 on notice (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 1987 (SI 1987/257), regs B1 and B5 (legislation.gov.uk, not fully revised) — ordinary pension with 25 years, paid from 50 unless 30 years; notice condition; deferred pension at 60 (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office: the benefits of your police pension scheme (2015 scheme), published 15 December 2021 — 1/55.3 accrual; CPI + 1.25% while active; CPI only after leaving; leave before 55 means payment at State Pension age (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office: Police Pension Scheme 2015 administrators' guide (July 2024 update) — deferred account closed and active account re-established on rejoining within 5 years; early payment reduction (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Federation: 1987 scheme and 2015 CARE scheme pages — 25 years and 50 across the schemes; 30 years at any age; around 20% reduction at 55 in the 2015 scheme (accessed 30 September 2026)
- LPPA: leaving the police pension scheme before retirement — 2-year line for deferred benefits in all three schemes; CPI increases each April (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/4), regulation 4 and Schedule 1, latest version — former officers: Conditions A, B (12 months) and C; not for people who left before 15 December 2017 (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Act 1996, sections 88A, 88B, 88I and 88J — barred list for dismissal or a 'would have been dismissed' finding; advisory list report on resigning after an allegation (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Pensions Regulations 2015, regulation 211 (forfeiture) — forfeiture requires a conviction and, for offences connected with service, a Home Secretary's certificate (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006, regulation 11 — injury award for a person who ceases or has ceased to be a member (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Pension Schemes Act 1993, section 95 (as amended by the Pension Schemes Act 2015) — no transfer from unfunded public service schemes to flexible benefits (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Pension Schemes Act 2015, section 48, and FCA: pension transfer advice, what to expect — appropriate independent advice for safeguarded benefits; the FCA's £30,000 threshold (accessed 30 September 2026)
- HMRC Pensions Tax Manual PTM045000: refunds of contributions — short service refund charge: 20% up to £20,000, 50% above (accessed 30 September 2026)
- HM Treasury/HMRC: increasing normal minimum pension age (4 November 2021) — rise to 57 from 6 April 2028 does not apply to police scheme members (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Home Office: Police Pensions (Remediable Service) Regulations 2023, government response (19 July 2023) — eligibility; roll back; deferred choice at retirement for active and deferred members (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Pensions Act 1976, section 11 — police pension authority is the chief constable; pension supervising authority is the local policing body (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Surrey Police and Sussex Police: Leave (Police Officers and Police Staff) Policy 477/2025 (FOI publication) — one force example of how leave is settled on leaving (accessed 30 September 2026)
- Police Federation of England and Wales: becoming a member — membership is for serving constables to chief inspectors; group insurance requires membership (accessed 30 September 2026)
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PolicePay.co.uk is an independent reference site. This page is general information, not financial, pension, tax, employment-law or careers advice, and it cannot consider your personal circumstances. Pension decisions can be hard to reverse: ask your pension administrator for a statement and, where the amounts are large, an FCA-authorised adviser. Rules and figures change, so check the sources for the date you are reading this. Details apply to England and Wales unless stated. Details are as checked on 30 September 2026.