January 27, 2026 | Human Resources , Officer and Staff: Health and Wellbeing (Including Sick Absences and Retirement)
Request Number: FOI/16538
Category: Human Resources - Officer and Staff: Health & Wellbeing (Incl. Sick absences and retirement)
Subject: Ill Health Retirement Process Policies
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does hold some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We do not however hold information in relation to request numbers 1 and 2 below. To assist, we have provided further comment in the 'advice and assistance' section.
We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which we have followed in responding to your request.
Request
Please provide copies of the following information held by the Police Service of Northern Ireland:
Request 1
The current policy, guidance, or procedural document governing the Ill Health Retirement (IHR) process, including the scheduling of Selected Medical Practitioner (SMP) assessments.
Answer 1
This information is not held. Please see advice and assistance section for further comment.
Request 2
Any previous version(s) of the policy, guidance, or procedure in force prior to the current arrangement (Since 2022)
Answer 2
This information is not held. Please see advice and assistance section for further comment.
Request 3
Any document, memorandum, instruction, or guidance recording, authorising, or explaining the change from a system in which an SMP assessment date was scheduled in advance to the current system under which no SMP appointment is arranged until all medical evidence has been submitted.
Answer 3
The PSNI were advised on 3rd March 2025 by the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) that the new Further Medical Evidence (FME) process was noted at the resource committee and that they were content with the new process. NIPB advised that they will honour those officers with an already confirmed appointment under the old FME process, however, any officers offered an appointment after today’s date will be treated under the new FME process as outlined in the attached flowchart.
Request 4
The date on which any such change to the IHR/SMP process was implemented.
Answer 4
As of 3rd March 2025, any officers offered an appointment after today’s date will be treated under the new FME process as outlined by the NIPB, however, they would honour those officers with an already confirmed appointment under the old FME process.
Advice and Assistance
Policies in relation to the above fall under the remit of the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) and should be requested from them. You can make a request via the following email address: [email protected].