Injury on Duty
& Injury Awards
Financial Protection for Officers Permanently Disabled in the Execution of Duty
Snippet Definition
What qualifies as a
Police Injury Award?
A Police Injury Award is a non-contributory, tax-free (in part) benefit paid to officers who suffer a permanent disablement caused by an injury received in the execution of duty. Unlike a standard pension, it is designed to compensate for the loss of civilian earning capacity and ensures a guaranteed minimum income level for life.
Section 01
The Legal Threshold
The criteria for an injury award are significantly higher than for a typical 'workplace injury' claim. It is governed by the Police (Injury Benefit) Regulations 2006.
- Execution of Duty: The injury must occur while performing a police function (not just being 'at work').
- Permanent Disablement: The condition must be likely to last until the officer's normal retirement age.
- Causation: There must be a direct causal link between the duty incident and the disablement.
- Earning Capacity: The injury must objectively reduce the officer's ability to earn a living in the civilian market.
Institutional Fact
An injury award is not compensation for pain and suffering (like a civil claim). It is purely a financial bridge for lost potential. Once granted, it is paid by the local force budget, not the central government pension fund.
Regulation B: Medical Retirement
Regulation B is the primary mechanism for the "Injury Pension". It applies specifically when an officer's service is terminated due to medical unfitness caused by a duty injury.
The Dual Gate
To access Regulation B, you must pass two gates:
1. Medical Unfitness (cannot
perform duty).
2. Injury Attributability (it happened on duty).
Disablement Bands
Slight
0% - 25% Loss
Moderate
26% - 50% Loss
Substantial
51% - 75% Loss
Severe
76% - 100% Loss
The percentage represents the "Loss of Earning Capacity". It is the difference between your potential police earnings and your potential civilian earnings in the open labor market.
The Assessment Process
The SMP (Selected Medical Practitioner) is responsible for deciding the four key questions in the process.
Is the person disabled?
Is that disablement permanent?
Is the disablement directly caused by a duty injury?
What is the degree of disablement (1-4)?
SMP Discretion
The SMP doesn't just look at MRIs. They look at your qualifications, CV, and the local job market. If you have a degree, they may argue you can earn more in an office than an officer with no transferable skills, resulting in a lower band award.
Interactions & Top-Ups
Total Income Guarantee
An injury award is not paid "on top" of your full pension in the way an allowance fits a salary. Instead, it guarantees a minimum total income. If your standard pension increases, the injury award portion typically decreases to keep the total at the fixed percentage for your band.
Ongoing Reviews
Regulation 37
Unlike a medical negligence payout, a police injury award is never truly "final". Forces have the right to review your degree of disablement at intervals defined by their own policy.
The Review Outcome
If your injury improves, or if civilian wages increase significantly in your previous potential field, the force can reduce your award from Band 3 to Band 2, or even 0.
Institutional Risks
Review Frequency
Forces initiating Reg 37 reviews aggressively to reduce long-term liabilities.
Civilian Skills
Acquiring new qualifications post-injury can lead to a lower banding at review.
State Benefit Offset
Certain DWP benefits (like ESA) are deducted from your injury award payout.
Causation Disputes
Force lawyers arguing pre-existing conditions caused the disablement.
McCloud Impact
Pension scheme changes affecting the underlying 'guaranteed income' calculation.
Divorce Inclusion
The award count as income for spousal/child maintenance assessment.
Common FAQs
What qualifies as injury on duty?
An injury received in the execution of duty, as a direct result of policing activity, which leads to permanent disablement. It must be more than a minor injury that fully heals; it requires a permanent loss of earning capacity.
How are injury award bands calculated?
Awards are split into four bands (Slight, Moderate, Substantial, Severe) based on the percentage of 'Loss of Earning Capacity'. This reflects how much your potential civilian income is reduced due to the injury compared to what you would have earned as an officer.
Is the injury award for life?
Yes, but it is subject to periodic reviews (Regulation 37). If your earning capacity improves or your condition significanty changes, the award level can be adjusted up or down by the force.
Does it replace my standard pension?
No. A Police Injury Award is a 'top-up' benefit paid in addition to your standard or ill-health pension to ensure your total income meets a guaranteed minimum level defined by your service and disablement band.
What happens to the award if I remarry?
The officer's own injury award is not affected by remarriage. However, survivor pensions for a spouse may be subject to different rules depending on whether the officer was in the 1987, 2006, or 2015 scheme.
Related Authority Guides
For more on officer protection, visit the Welfare Hub. If you are navigating separation, see our guide to Injury Awards & Divorce. You can also model your potential benefits with the Injury Award Calculator.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Police injury regulations are complex and subject to judicial review. Always consult your Federation representative or a specialist solicitor.