Police Injury Pension
2026 Guide
Framework: Police Injury Benefit Regulations 2006 (England & Wales)
What is a Police Injury Pension?
A Police Injury Pension is a statutory award paid to an officer who is permanently disabled as a result of an injury received in the execution of duty. Awards range from 25% to 85% of pensionable pay, depending on the degree of disablement and loss of earning capacity.
Executive Summary
A Police Injury Pension is not a “reward” and not a discretionary benefit. It is a statutory entitlement governed by the Police Injury Benefit Regulations 2006. It applies when an officer is permanently disabled as a result of an injury received in the execution of duty.
The award is based on:
- • Degree of disablement
- • Loss of earning capacity
- • Causation (injury must be duty-related)
- • Permanent nature of impairment
The maximum award is 85% of pensionable pay. The minimum award begins at 25%.
The process is medical, legal, and highly structured. Most disputes arise around:
- • Whether injury occurred “in the execution of duty”
- • Whether disablement is “permanent”
- • Whether earning capacity has actually been reduced
This guide explains the full structure.
01. Legal Foundation
Police Injury Benefit Regulations 2006
Police Injury Pensions are governed by the Police Injury Benefit Regulations 2006 (Amended 2011, 2012, 2015 and later modifications).
They are entirely separate from the Police Pension Scheme (1987 / 2006 / 2015), Ill-Health Retirement Pensions, or ordinary service pensions. The Injury Pension is not funded from your CARE pot. It is a distinct statutory compensation mechanism.
Key Concept 1
Injury received in the execution of duty
Key Concept 2
Permanent disablement
Key Concept 3
Loss of earning capacity
All three concepts must be satisfied simultaneously.
02. What Counts As “Execution of Duty”?
This is one of the most litigated elements of the entire process.
Includes
- Arrests
- Pursuits
- Public order deployments
- Use of force incidents
- Training injuries
- On-duty RTCs
May also include travelling between duty locations, some off-duty interventions, and recall to duty scenarios.
Does NOT Include
- Purely private conduct
- Injuries unrelated to policing activity
- Pre-existing conditions not materially aggravated by duty
Case law has broadened interpretation, but causation must be clear.
03. Permanent Disablement Test
Temporary injury does not qualify.
Permanent disablement means: You are unlikely ever to resume full duties of a constable.
Medical assessment is performed by a Selected Medical Practitioner (SMP). The SMP determines:
- • Whether disablement is permanent
- • Degree of disablement
- • Impact on earning capacity
This is not a welfare judgment. It is a structured occupational assessment.
04. Degree of Disablement
Disablement is assessed as a percentage. The percentage award corresponds with loss of earning capacity.
Maximum award: 85% of pensionable pay
05. How Awards Are Calculated
Calculation uses final pensionable pay at time of injury retirement.
The injury award is then calculated against:
- • Assessed loss of earning capacity
- • Degree of disablement
Example
This is separate from standard pension entitlement.
06. Interaction With Police Pension
You may receive an ordinary pension (if eligible by service) PLUS an injury pension award.
However: The total combined amount cannot exceed regulatory limits.
The injury award is offset by:
- • Earnings from other employment
- • Some state benefits
- • Certain compensation settlements
This is where many misunderstand the system.
07. Ill-Health Retirement vs Injury Pension
Ill-Health Retirement
- Based on incapacity to perform role
- Not necessarily duty-caused
Injury Pension
- Must be caused by injury in execution of duty
- Focuses on earning capacity
08. Mental Health & PTSD Cases
Modern injury pension litigation increasingly involves PTSD, operational trauma, and cumulative exposure injury.
Medical causation evidence is critical in these complex assessments.
09. Review & Reassessment
Injury pensions can be reviewed. Forces may reassess:
- • Earning capacity
- • Medical prognosis
- • Change in circumstances
If earning capacity improves significantly, the award can be reduced. This is lawful under regulation.
10. Appeals Process
If you disagree with the SMP decision:
PMAB decisions can only be challenged via judicial review. Appeals are technical and often require specialist representation.
11. Tax Treatment
Injury pensions are taxable income in most cases. They are not tax-free compensation. Interaction with HMRC status must be considered carefully.
12. Misconceptions
- X “All injured officers get 85%”
- X “It’s automatic after assault”
- X “It replaces full salary”
- X “It cannot be reviewed”
Most awards fall within mid-range percentages.
13. 2026 Context – Why Applications Are Increasing
Operational stress, public disorder incidents, and the retention crisis have led to an increase in mental health-related applications, medical appeals, and intense scrutiny by forces.
The fiscal exposure for forces has risen significantly.
Worked Examples
14. Severe Physical Injury
If officer earns £10,000 in secondary work, adjustment may apply.
15. PTSD Case
If officer later returns to limited employment, review possible.
16. Injury Pension vs Civil Claim
An injury pension does NOT prevent civil litigation, criminal compensation, or personal injury claims. However, compensation may be offset against the award.
17. Risk Analysis
Forces balance compassion, financial sustainability, and legal defensibility. Tribunal cases revolve around causation, permanency, and earning capacity modelling.
18. Structural Impact
Injury pensions represent long-term fiscal liability, significant HR exposure, and a retention indicator. Rates often correlate with public disorder and high-stress deployments.
19. Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage is a police injury pension?
Between 25% and 85% of pensionable pay depending on disablement and earning capacity.
Is injury pension paid for life?
Yes, subject to review mechanisms.
Can it be reduced?
Yes, if earning capacity improves.
Is it the same as ill-health retirement?
No.
Can mental health qualify?
Yes, if duty-caused and permanent.
20. Institutional Positioning
Police Injury Pensions are not political instruments. They are statutory compensation frameworks. Understanding them requires separating the operational narrative and emotional trauma from the rigid legal test and financial modelling.
This guide provides regulation-based clarity only.