Removing sick pay for police with mental health issues ‘extremely concerning’

Removing sick pay for police who are signed off for mental health reasons could push some towards “suicidal thoughts”, the organisation which represents rank and file officers has said.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said Police Scotland have dropped some sick pay arrangements due to budget pressures, which they say could have a “profound” personal impact.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, said he was “extremely concerned” at the move.

The justice affairs magazine 1919 reported that at least 19 officers had been told their sick pay would not be extended.

In a letter to Chief Constable Jo Farrell, seen by the magazine, Mr Kennedy said: “The absence of any meaningful consultation on an issue with such significant implications for officers risks undermining both the established partnership arrangements and the confidence officers have that their welfare is being properly considered.

“For officers who are already dealing with illness or injury, the sudden removal of pay can have a profound financial and personal impact.

“It is therefore essential that decisions of this nature are taken transparently, consistently and we would ask with appropriate engagement with the SPF.

“It is obvious that financial pressures may make some officers get back to work but it will also push people with mental health issues to suicidal thoughts or actions that may be irreversible.

“That is why we ask that this is done appropriately and with our engagement, so that officers can be properly supported.”

In March, the chief constable told MSPs on Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee that the budget settlement for Police Scotland had led to “difficult decisions”.

She said: “I underline my commitment to continue to maximise capacity from the resources available through strategic planning and supporting more people back to work.

“We will continue to drive improvements and efficiencies to cut out bureaucracy and to automate and rationalise processes in the middle and back-office functions so as to focus every possible resource on our front line.

“I am leading a cultural shift that is prepared to carry a greater risk appetite and that draws clearer lines with ourselves and our partners about where policing starts and where it must finish.”

She also told the committee about the impact of mental-health related wellbeing callouts on Police Scotland’s capacity, saying a “quite significant” change is needed.