Fairer treatment for emergency workers injured in the line of duty
CICA guidance change offers new hope for officers and frontline responders.
Police officers, paramedics, and other emergency workers injured while protecting the public will now be treated more fairly under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) Scheme, following an important change to government guidance published this month.
For too long, many officers hurt in the course of duty, often while detaining or restraining violent offenders, were told that their injuries did not result from a “crime of violence”. In practice, this meant they were denied compensation under the governments Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, (a scheme that compensates victims of violent crimes) even where they were clearly injured through dangerous or reckless behaviour.
Why has the guidance changed?
The Police Federation of England and Wales and the National Police Wellbeing Service raised concerns that the existing approach was outdated and unfair. Together, they submitted detailed evidence to the Ministry of Justice and Home Office showing how current rules failed to reflect the real-world risks faced by frontline officers.
Their intervention led to a full review and the publication of revised guidance for CICA decision makers at the CICA on how to interpret a “crime of violence” under the 2012 Scheme.
What’s new in the updated guidance?
The updated rules now make clear that: When an emergency worker is injured by someone violently resisting arrest or restraint, decision-makers must fully consider whether the offender’s actions amount to a crime of violence, including cases involving recklessness.
This means that claims previously rejected because an offender was deemed “reckless rather than intentional” may now succeed where there is clear evidence of violent or reckless conduct.
The change also reminds decision-makers to take account of the operational context, recognising that police officers and emergency personnel routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
What this means for injured officers and emergency workers?
This development represents a significant shift towards fairness and common sense in how the CICA assesses injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Officers and responders who were:
- assaulted or injured by suspects during arrest, restraint, or detention,
- hurt while intervening to prevent crime or protect others, or
- previously refused compensation on the basis that the conduct was not a “crime of violence”,
may now have grounds to re-apply or request a review under the clarified guidance.
Expert help with CICA claims
At GLP Solicitors, we have acted for hundreds of clients injured through acts of violence, including police officers, NHS staff, prison officers, and members of the public harmed while helping others.
Our specialist CICA team understands the complexities of these claims and how to frame applications and appeals to reflect the latest guidance.
Call our CICA team on 0800 138 6061 or email us at mail@criminalinjuriescompensation.org
For more detail, you can read the official updated guidance here: CICA Scheme Guidance – GOV.UK
Visit GLP Solicitors and discover more about our Criminal Injury Claims service.