Labour claims police officers will be forced to retire


More than 2,000 of the country's most experienced police officers could be forced to retire by 2015 as forces try to cut costs, according to Labour.

Although police officers cannot be made redundant, officers with 30 or more years' experience can be made to retire under existing regulations.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said it was "deeply worrying" 13 forces had decided to use them in some form.

Ministers have said savings can be made without affecting front-line policing.

Police budgets are being cut by 20% over the next four years, with a 4% cut in the first year and 5% the year after. But ministers insist these savings are achievable by cutting bureaucracy and more efficient use of resources, including forces sharing some back-office functions.

Fully sworn police officers are servants of the Crown, not employees, so they cannot be made redundant under existing laws.

However, forces are able to get permission to use a regulation known as A19 to make officers with 30 years' experience or more retire early.