The Retired Medically Unfit Western Australia Police Association Inc

 The Retired Medically Unfit Western Australia Police Association Incorporated

Currently there are in excess of 300 Retired Medically Unfit (RMU) Western Australian Police Officers and even       

more waiting to retire. Many RMU officers are living with ongoing debilitating health problems and concerns               associated with having served and protected the citizens of Western Australia on the front line. Many of these             illnesses relate to physical injuries, psychological and neurological illnesses predominately Post Traumatic Stress          Disorder (PTSD). Many (if not most) of these RMU officers are now unable to secure gainful employment due to the

nature and extent of their injuries or illnesses.                                                                                                        

Unfortunately many RMU Officers who have been injured or maimed in the line of duty have been forcibly retired by the W.A. Police without monetary remuneration, workers compensation or any pension relating to their injuries –        other than superannuation they may have accrued in their own personal superannuation fund.                                 

However, before an RMU officer is able to gain access to their superannuation fund, in some cases, they must           first attend specialist interviews to ascertain their personal disability percentage and consequent monetary figure.          This figure is determined and calculated by the relevant superannuation board at their own discretion.  In other           words RMU officers must go ‘cap-in-hand’ for their own money.                                                                                             

Often, the RMU officer is relatively young when retiring medically unfit and many will only have very limited money within their superannuation fund. Usually the superannuation funds will be used to pay for the RMU officer’s ongoing medical treatment, treating doctor’s bills, hospital bills and any other expenses including regular medication that may be required to take to treat their ongoing debilitating medical condition.

In the past RMU officers have had no organisation or Association to represent them in dealing with issues of either voluntary or forced medical retirement.

The Retired Medically Unfit Western Australia Police Association Incorporated has been formed to do just that, represent Retired Medically Unfit Western Australian Police Officers.