West Midlands Police fighting payout threat over forced retirement
Cash strapped West Midlands Police are fighting to avoid a massive pay out to officers ordered to retire after completing 30 years service.
Almost 500 of those who lost their jobs as a result of the regulation - dubbed A19 - are demanding compensation on the grounds the move was ageist.
West Midlands Police are believed to have already run up almost £90,000 in legal fees fighting the case which is likely to be decided by an Employment Appeal Tribunal in the near future.
The ruling could have major implications for police forces throughout the country that can ill afford a big compensation pay out while struggling to cope with huge reductions in Government spending.
These have already forced West Midlands Police to cut £126m from its budget and axe the jobs of 3,000 officers and civilian staff since 2010. A19 has been used to retire some officers with 30 years or more service.
The current tribunal hearing follows a ruling last year which stated that forcing long serving police officers to quit the service in this way amounted to age discrimination.
A total of 498 claims for compensation are understood to have already been made against West Midlands Police and any payouts are expected to be significant.
The Devon and Cornwall, Nottinghamshire, North Wales and South Wales forces are also involved in the joint appeal aimed at overturning the earlier tribunal judgement.
Police officers cannot be made redundant but regulation A19 allows a force to dismiss those of the rank of chief inspector or below when it is 'in the general interests of efficiency' and those concerned have achieved service entitling them to a pension of two thirds average pensionable pay, usually when they have completed 30 years in the job.
West Midlands Police said: "While the outcome of the Employment Appeal Tribunal is awaited, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further or speculate about compensation pay outs for officers who retired under the A19 regulation."
