Police forces hit by staff claims rise

Jun 14 2009 by Colin Patterson, Sunday Sun

POLICE forces across the North are having to fight a dramatic rise in the number of industrial tribunal claims, it has been revealed.

And part of the problem is the growing number of cops who claim they have suffered discrimination because they are disabled.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, show staff working for Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire and Cumbria forces have lodged 96 industrial tribunal claims in the last five years.

The numbers have risen from just nine cases in 2003 to 38 cases last year.

But, while racial and sexual claims have remained steady, the figures reveal 28 cases lodged in the last five years have involved disability.

The rise is believed to be due to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, which was amended to cover police officers in 2004.

The problem has also been blamed on forces trying to get more bobbies back onto the beat . . . including those who have been given office jobs after suffering injuries.

Most of the region’s forces refused to reveal figures for pay-outs they have made.

However, disability discrimination cases now account for more than one third of all tribunals brought against police forces which are believed to cost taxpayers more than £2m a year.

The cost of such a sharp rise has provoked an angry response from the Taxpayers’ Alliance.

Chief Executive Matthew Elliott said: “It is concerning that so many officers are unhappy with the way they are treated and that taxpayers are being landed with such a large bill.

“This not only harms morale, it reduces the frontline resources available for fighting crime.