COMPO FIGHT HELL FOR INJURED COPS

Battle for awards for injuries in line of duty

- NORMAN SILVESTER

OFFICERS injured in the line of duty face lengthy battles for criminal injury compensation payouts because attacks are seen as part of the job, a police union have claimed.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) provides compensation to victims of violent crime.

About 70 per cent of all applications to CICA are heard in 12 months but unions have warned that officers injured at work are being made to wait far longer for a decision.

Officers who choose to appeal a rejected claim are faced with a lengthy and costly process, with no guarantee of success.