Cops Should Not Pay For Their Own Rehabilitation

It is “simply outrageous” that 90% of police officers are having to pay for their own rehabilitation, the Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation says.

The shocking figure was revealed in HMICFRS’ State of Policing report, which found most support centres were funded by police staff, officers and retired officers.

Steve Kent, the Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said there was “absolutely no doubt” these services should be funded by forces.

He said: “The Government has paid out billions of pounds to compensate for the damages caused in other organisations, such as the coal miners.

“Where is the compensation for our officers who are broken and breaking, and going into retirement because they are broken because of what they’ve done?”

Steve said it is “simply outrageous” and “cannot be right” that officers should have to pay for their own recovery.

He pointed to the rehabilitation centre in Harrogate as an example of what a well-funded service can offer.

But he insisted: “We need to focus on stopping the breaking of officers in the first place.”

The issue was also raised by Tiff Lynch, Chair of the national Police Federation, who said the 90% figure was “disturbing and shameful”.