Police officers who can no longer serve due to injury or illness will be able to be retired with dignity, under new legislation introduced into State Parliament today.
Presently under the Police Act, the only means by which the Commissioner of Police can retire an injured or ill police officer is through the 'loss of confidence' removal provisions.
These provisions were principally designed to deal with misconduct, poor performance and integrity issues.
Understandably, the significant stigma and indignity at being exited under the same section of the Police Act was highly distressing to officers forced to retire on medical grounds.
The Police Amendment (Medical Retirement) Bill 2019 establishes a new standalone scheme to provide a separate process to medically retire injured or ill officers.
The introduction of the legislation fulfils an election commitment and follows the delivery of a $16 million redress scheme to recognise and acknowledge the circumstances and treatment of medically retired former officers.
The McGowan Government is committed to the safety and welfare of our police officers and has also committed $15.4 million in tomorrow's State Budget towards the roll-out of personal issue multi-threat body armour to frontline police.
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
"This fulfils a commitment that the Premier and I made to the Police, to end a practice that was both undignified and humiliating.
"The introduction of this legislation is the result of positive collaboration with the WA Police Union and the Medically Retired Police Officers Association.
"This Government respects and supports the work our police officers do, in at times difficult and dangerous circumstances.
"This is the latest measure in a range of initiatives we have progressed both to protect our police and recognise the costs of their service."
