Police officers are virtually unique in that they often serve for 30 years in the same job. Some officers find that during their service they feel the need for a different challenge and a change of direction. Police regulations make it possible for them to take a career break of up to five years before rejoining their force.

Eligibility

Any officer who has successfully completed their probationary period is eligible to apply for a career break. The decision is the chief constable's and considerations of health, attendance and conduct are at their discretion.

After an officer applies to their force for a career break, the force is obliged to notify them whether or not it has been accepted within 28 days of the application. If the application is rejected, the officer has a right to appeal against the decision to the police authority.

Officers on career breaks are not required to resign. The chief constable and the officer must agree, before the start of the career break, the obligations and expectations on the officer and the force during the break.

The effect on your pension

An important consideration when deciding whether or not to take a career break is the effect it will have on the officer's police pension. Service during career breaks is not pensionable, but officers can 'buy back' service at the normal officer contribution rate. Officers on career breaks will have protected entitlements to all pension benefits at the start of the career break, including death benefits, enhanced ill health pensions and injury benefits.

Police officers who become pregnant while on a career break are entitled to the same maternity benefits as officers not taking a break. An officer on a career break who becomes pregnant should give notice as soon as possible in order to take advantage of the maternity provision. For more information on your rights during a career break, contact your local police federation representative.

Compiled by Carol Jenkins