POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND AND POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND RESERVE (INJURY BENEFIT) REGULATIONS 2006

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision for payments to police officers who are permanently disabled as a result of an injury received without their own default in the execution of duty as a police officer or, where death results from such an injury, to surviving spouses or civil partners, children or other dependent relatives of the deceased member. The Regulations revoke and re-enact provisions for that purpose in the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pensions Regulations 1988 (“the 1988 Regulations”) and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Injury Benefit) Regulations 1988, and establish a scheme which is distinct from the provisions of the 1988 Regulations, which continue in operation in relation to contributory pensions payable to members or to others in relation to deceased members. These Regulations are applied to the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve (regulation 42).

Part 1 contains general provisions, including definitions of “injury received in the execution of duty” and “disablement” (regulations 5 and 6). Part 1 contains general provisions, including definitions of “injury received in the execution of duty” and “disablement” (regulations 6 and 7). Regulation 1(1) provides that the Regulations have retrospective effect to 6th April 2006, which is the date on which a new tax regime for registered pension schemes – introduced by the Finance Act 2004 – comes into effect. Retrospective effect is permitted by Articles 14 and 15 of the Superannuation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.

Part 2, with Schedules 3 to 5, makes provision for the awards payable on injury or death, with supplementary provision in Part 3; and Part 5 governs the circumstances in which an award may be revised, withdrawn or forfeited. Part 4 and Schedule 6 provide procedures for the determination of medical questions which arise. Part 6 contains provision in respect of the payment of awards. Schedule 2 revokes the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Injury Benefit) Regulations 1988 and relevant provisions of the 1988 Regulations and makes consequential amendments of the 1988 Regulations.