Rehiring of retired police officers from January 2018

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.027157

I note you seek access to the following information:

For the period from January 2018 to present day:

1. How many retired police officers were rehired in the Metropolitan Police under the “Enhanced return scheme”, per year?

2. How many of these returning officers received a salary in addition to their pension?

3. How many of these returning officers benefitted from the Police Pension Scheme 2015 in addition to their pension and salary already perceived?

4. Of these returning officers, how many were constable, sergeant and inspector. Were any of these returning officers hired in higher positions? If so, what were they?

Please note that I would like to receive the information in an electronic format.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - How many retired police officers were rehired in the Metropolitan Police under the “Enhanced return scheme”, per year?

The ‘enhanced’ return scheme (salary & full pension) was introduced in 2022. 89 existing Met officers moved from the previous returned scheme to the enhanced return scheme in 2022.

We anticipate recruiting up to 221 constables, 155 sergeants and 82 inspectors as part of this campaign.

Q2 - How many of these returning officers received a salary in addition to their pension?

The enhanced return scheme is designed to allow officers to receive full pay and pension.

Q3 - How many of these returning officers benefitted from the Police Pension Scheme 2015 in addition to their pension and salary already perceived?

Out of the anticipated 458 planned return scheme officers, there are currently 197. Of these 197, 77 have opted back in to the 2015 scheme.

Q4 - Of these returning officers, how many were constable, sergeant and inspector. Were any of these returning officers hired in higher positions? If so, what were they?

The breakdown of the intended recruitment is provided below. The Met is working towards achieving the target strength by the end of this financial year. The enhanced return scheme is only open to officers at constable, sergeant and inspector ranks.

Target	458
Constable	221
Sergeant	155
Inspector	82