NSW police who reach long service given $90k to $260k severance package

NSW police will receive a handout of up to $269,000 when they leave the force in a bid to slash workers compensation payouts.

NSW police officers will be given a golden handshake of up to $269,000 when they leave the force after 10 years in bid to slash ballooning workers’ compensation payouts.

The groundbreaking industrial agreement will be based on the public sector voluntary redundancy scheme in a bid to provide certainty for officers.

The scheme would be open to officers who have served for at least 10 years and decided to transition to another career. Picture: Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

The “optional disengagement” scheme will be trialled for three years and will be available to police who have spent a decade on the job.

Police Minister David ­Elliott said the proposal would give officers more options when considering their car­eers.

“This optional disengagement scheme acknowledges that policing is a career like no other,” he said.

“A modern and dynamic police force needs modern and dynamic conditions. This scheme will afford officers the dignity they deserve when they choose to leave the force.”

Details of the scheme will be finalised in coming months with ongoing consultation ­between the Government, the NSW Police Association and the force. The payout figure will be calculated based on rank and time served, with $269,000 identified as the ceiling at this stage. Broadly, the plan has been welcomed by Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and has the support of the Police Association.

From a financial position, the government was eyeing ballooning workers’ compensation premiums for police.

In 2017, the figure was $173 million, blowing out to $381 million by 2020-21.

It is expected this figure will be brought down if police have an option to leave with a payout earlier.

Mr Fuller said the optional disengagement plan “recognises the inherent challenges faced by police”.

“Undoubtedly, police face cumulative stressors in the field each day and each officer must have the ability to make the decision to best serve their personal needs,” he said.

“Not every officer wants a 30- or 40-year career in policing and those officers shouldn’t be disadvantaged.

“To be an effective police force, we need to ensure our officers are committed to serving the community and each officer will have their own ideas of when the time is right to leave.

“There is no shame in that.”

NSW Police Association President Tony King said frontline officers across NSW face trauma and challenges unlike any other career.

“This scheme gives officers peace of mind that they can choose to leave their policing career when they decide and on their own terms,’’ he said.

“This policy acknowledges and rewards police for their distinguished service.”

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said helping police into new careers was crucial for NSW.

“Officers will bring unique skills and leadership to new ­industries and workplaces after they finish their police ­career and this program will help them in making a successful transition into other ­employment,” he said.