12 replies to this topic

[Lord Vader]

Provided for Specials free of charge by the NPIA, the Special Constables’ Legal Advice Service provides you with legal assistance if you want it and insurance if you need it.

The service includes three parts:

Personal Injury
If you’re injured in an accident either on or off duty, you can call the Specials’ PI Claimline to register a claim. Your family can too, even if they’re injured in a different incident.

Claims covered include injuries sustained in the course of active duty, any off duty incidents, road traffic accidents, safety training injuries, accidents occurring in police stations, clinical negligence and serious and fatal injuries.

You’ll pay nothing to pursue the claim, and you get to keep 100% of any compensation won.

Assistance in Criminal or Civil Proceedings
Although you’re upholding the law, occasionally in the course of your duties you may find yourself on the sticky side of it.

Your legal expenses insurance covers incidents including:
Police station advice
Advice in IPCC investigations
Representation in Magistrates Court and Crown Court proceedings
Representation at an inquest
Misconduct proceedings

Civil proceedings, including allegations of assault, wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, misfeasance and trespass.
In the event of potential criminal or misconduct proceeding against you in the course of your duty, you can access a solicitor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling the Criminal Assistance line.

Legal Helpline
For advice in the event of discrimination allegations, breach of road traffic regulations or any other general legal matter, you can contact the Specials’ Legal Helpline for initial advice.

Legal advice is provided by Russell Jones & Walker Solicitors who have over 50 years experience representing police officers and are experts in police regulations and working conditions. The insurance is provided by LIM Legal Insurance Management Limited, through Philip Williams, who both provide a similar service to police officers around the country.

Full details here, also see the this poster (which you could put up in your parade room, or circulate at Specials meetings, etc).

[bensonby]

Isn't the NPIA being disbanded this year though?

[SBG]

this is been taken on by the HO, so it will continue

[MrDSP]

I thought NPIA was being phased out, looks like a good package though.

[Truncheon]

I hear that this scheme doesn't apply to BTP Specials, only Home Office ones. Apparently the BTP Police Fed provide us with a similar kind of protection though.

[Dan Osborne]

Hi I have posted this on another section of the website as I am looking for some help. A friend of mine, a serving Special Constable had his warrant card seized off of him on the orders of another special constable, he was not under investigation for anything, and was not told why his warrant card was taken. Is this disaffection under the police act 1966.

[Police Constable 1]

Hi I have posted this on another section of the website as I am looking for some help. A friend of mine, a serving Special Constable had his warrant card seized off of him on the orders of another special constable, he was not under investigation for anything, and was not told why his warrant card was taken. Is this disaffection under the police act 1966.

That is something your friend needs to take it with his supervision in the station, or with HR.

[David]

Hi I have posted this on another section of the website as I am looking for some help.

And once, as in here, is enough

I don't see how we can answer anything here to be honest, we have nothing to go on really. Can I ask why you are asking on behalf of a 'friend'?

[TroyTempest]

Hi I have posted this on another section of the website as I am looking for some help. A friend of mine, a serving Special Constable had his warrant card seized off of him on the orders of another special constable, he was not under investigation for anything, and was not told why his warrant card was taken. Is this disaffection under the police act 1966.

Then he's been in effect suspended, only an ACPO rank can authorise a suspension although a senior officer may do the administration. Chief Inspector in the Met typically.

Take it up with the OCU commander unless said seizing was during the officer being arrested for a crime and it was seized as evidence (which I've also seen happen)

[Dan Osborne]

Well, thanks for all that replied, the warrant card was returned after some time, but upon return there was no explanation as to why the warrant card was taken, since then, nothing has been received it the post, no sanctions have been imposed, the officers warrant card was just seized off of him for no particular reason. The department for professional standards told the officer that they were not on their radar and has no knowledge of this matter. Also the reason I am asking on behalf of friend is due the Arcadian management of our service and fear for further reprisals

My question is, Given that there was no formal suspension or reason for removing the warrant does this constitute disafaction as the officer was unable to carry out the duties of the office?

[The sleeping Policeman]

This is clearly not right and needs to submitted as a complaint to be investigated. Your "Friend" needs to speak to the local Fed rep who should be able to help and guide them.

The new system which is at the top has a number of issues like the time it takes the process to happen. I have had some issues for the last 18 months and the insurance company are of the view that as the company has changed several times over this period like most insurance companys they are saying they will not cover the matter.

Colin Reynolds is on the case but has had to put a case just to get the funding sorted before we even look at the case but meanwhile the clock still ticks with the DPS.

The interesting thing is the DPS can't seem to get a grip of the fact that the system is not set up for MSC officers.

[i-plod]

quick update, just found myself having to use this service for an issue outside Police and the company who provides the service has now changed. Details below:

http://www.arclegal.co.uk
0844 770 9000

[WaRrAz##]

Is it worth doing? I got offered this just before I attested which was several years ago. Is it completely free and how would one go about applying? I could see this being quite the useful tool ha.