News and Comment 2020
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1st January 2020.
The start of 2020 looks remarkably like 2019 with the situation in Staffordshire still dominant. An application for judicial review was denied but last month an appeal was successful and there are two important issues that will go to JR probably in the Spring. The way IOD's have been treated over the last 15 years is not just a matter of National interest, it is a national disgrace. People who are not aware of the treatment of IOD's by their forces often find it difficult to believe. Pipin website was the catalyst for opposition to the unlawful policies triggered by HOC46/2004 and our News and Brief History pages record the details and the timeline of the events that brought about the demise of that dreadful 'guidance'. The evidence is there for anyone who doubts – the Court judgements and the determinations of the Pensions Ombudsman are there for all to see. Pipin has now been eclipsed by IODPA (our own fast growing charitable IOD organisation) which is able to encompass the increasing complexity of the issues facing us backed by our expert legal advisers. Pipin will continue for the time being as a record of this 'David and Goliath' struggle by IOD's for justice. Pipin has argued for a major review, along the lines of the Scoffield Report in Northern Ireland, into all aspects of Police injury on duty retirement but it seems that most police forces are content to continue in the same rut, relying on the same flawed old policies, perhaps warmed up here and there. It really does reflect badly on our forces and we deserve better. Surely there are some people in positions of authority who have the sense and foresight to see that the IOD situation can and should be put right and a resolution is long overdue. It will happen, eventually, but IOD's should not hold their breath. It may be some time before good sense prevails and the kind of reasoning that we have been subjected to is consigned to the past. In the meantime we have to continue, where necessary, to test the policies and decisions of our forces and, in so doing, clarify the law and Regulations piece by piece and decision by decision. We wish all IOD's a happy and successful 2020. |
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