Biting into my pension
Apr 15 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal
A FORMER police officer whose career was cut short has been awarded the right to legally challenge a decision to strip him of £1,200 of his monthly disability pension.
Stanley Fisher, 43, had served 11 years with Northumbria Police – following three years with Cleveland Police – when he was attacked by a dog during an animal rights demonstration in March 1998.
He was called to the Kirkley Hall mink farm on the outskirts of Ponteland, Northumberland, when a cross-breed Rottweiler sank his teeth into his lower right arm. The animal had been fed on the remains of dead minks and Mr Fisher spent five days in hospital undergoing numerous emergency surgeries when the wound became infected.
He needed almost 40 stitches to the gash and his injuries were so severe he lost full control of the fingers in his hand.
The father-of-one from Pinewood Drive, Morpeth, Northumberland, was unable to work and began receiving the pension immediately after the incident.
But last year he refused to hand over his medical records to an independent health organisation, working for Northumbria Police Authority, prompting the authority to lower his disability grade, denying him £1,200 a month.
The case reached the High Court in London on Friday where Mr Justice Owen said there was an “arguable case” for a judicial review of the authority’s decision.
Mr Fisher last night defended his right to withhold the information, saying it was his right to protect members of his family. He said: “It’s a close family member and that’s all I can really say. It’s like me saying that I could release someone else’s records. I have no problem with them carrying out a medical assessment but I will not let them see the records.”
The row has lasted 15 months so far and, during that time, the former PC has lost out on £1,200 every month.
He is adamant the problem lies with the Northumbria Police force using a system whereby an independent body assesses the health of its work force.
It is his belief the body are not contracted for long enough each week to fully assess the entire police workforce.
Mr Fisher said: “Financially it’s quite a problem. It’s a strain. But worse than that, it has just brought everything back from the past.
“It was traumatic to lose my job in the first place. I had done 14 years’ service.
“I was called on numerous occasions to that location due to the activities of animal right groups.”
We're sticking to new rules, say the police
THE Northumbria Police Authority last night defended their decision to downgrade Mr Fisher’s disability grade to the lowest possible.
Deputy chief executive and solicitor for Northumbria Police Authority, Maureen Kesteven, said: "This situation came about because of a change in national regulations. The legislation requires us to review this award and the review is carried out by a fully independent medical assessor.
"The gentleman did not comply with requests made by the independent medical assessor and a decision was made on the information available. He is now exercising his right of appeal."
