Police compensation payouts grow to $10 million

NT  POLICE paid out $3 million more in workers compensation claims from its workforce last financial year, despite a drop in workplace ­injuries

NT  POLICE paid out $3 million more in workers compensation claims from its workforce last financial year, despite a drop in workplace ­injuries

NT  POLICE paid out $3 million more in workers compensation claims from its workforce last financial year, despite a drop in workplace ­injuries.

Figures in the police annual report revealed $10 million was paid out for physical and psychological claims, up from $7 million the previous year.

In 2015-16 NT Police ­recorded 280 claimgs but last ­financial year that figure fell to 253. The average cost of a ­payout rose from $25,343 in 2015-16 to $40,059 last ­financial year.

An NT Police spokeswoman said 38 per cent of the claims came as a result of physical injury and 26 per cent came from claims of psychological injury.

“Increase in payments can be directly correlated to the complexity of injuries, ­especially psychological injuries, which may take longer to ­resolve and require various treatment options,” she said.

“Claim costs vary and are dependent on the complexity of the claim, mechanism of ­injury, and claim duration.

“Members who are medically retired are paid final ­entitlements via the NTG ­payroll system. This is not ­included in overall figures.”

She said officers who are medically retired received ­ongoing benefits and treatment costs through insurance. In the last financial year two members were medically ­retired.

She said the physical injuries included assaults against officers. This year officers had been subjected to some horrific injuries from assaults.

Constable Nick Carter was left with a cut under his eye after he was struck in the face by a man outside a Mitchell St nightclub in October 2016.

In January, a female police officer was punched in the face by a man at the Bagot ­Community.

The officer was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital where she received treatment for ­injuries to her cheek and lip.

In May, officers were ­assaulted with steel bars and rocks and threatened with spears in separate weekend ­attacks.

An officer suffered a suspected broken nose when hit in the face with a rock in Hermannsburg, while another suffered arm bruising when struck with a steel bar in Wadeye.

NT Police also made 183 ­insurance claims for damage to vehicles worth over $280,000.