A Bill amending the situation surrounding police pensions is set be discussed in Parliament. The Bill, called “An Act to amend the Police Act, would see police officers, if seriously injured on the job and unable to continue performing their duties, be entitled to pension payments as if he completed the 25 years’ service.

An officer, to receive this pension, would need to be duly cleared by an Injuries Board made up of medical and other professionals appointed by the Minister responsible for the Police.

In addition, should the police officer die carrying out his duties, family members will be entitled to payment of such pensionable remuneration.

The surviving spouse or partner of the deceased until such spouse remarries or such partner contracts another union of equivalent status in accordance with the Civil Union Act or reaches pensionable age. Or in the absence of an eligible spouse or partner, the child or children of the deceased until such child or children attain the age of 18 years or until such child or children attain the age of 23 years if attending a full-time educational institution.

In the case of children, the emoluments will be divided equally and in the case of minors, shall be entrusted to their guardian.

In the absence of children, a parent or immediate family relative who was wholly dependent on him for maintenance shall receive the pensionable remuneration, for a period of 5 years from the death of the Police Officer subject to the retention of a state of dependency.

Police Officers Union President Sandro Camilleri gave his comments about the Bill. “This Bill is a step in the right direction for pensions within the Police Corps”.

He stressed that the bill deals with police members who are injured or killed during the course of their duties, however if a police officer becomes ill and eventually passes away, his family would not benefit from a pension, or on occasion would benefit from a widow’s pension.

“while this is a step forward, there must be a change in legislation for when an officer becomes sick or dies while being within the service, as in these cases the pension is lost”..

GWU Secretary of the police Corps sector Kevin Camilleri approves of the changes, however also mentioned the need to consider those who injure themselves during their work.  He also said that these should be merged with the wider pension reforms being discussed.