Police forces re-hiring retired workers

Commenting on reports over the weekend that police forces across Wales have spent millions of pounds re-hiring retired staff over the last financial year, Age Cymru's Equality Policy Advisor Martyn Jones says:

"Age Cymru feels vindicated by the announcement that older staff members are being re-hired by police forces across Wales.

"We were openly critical of plans to force police officers to retire after 30 years of service when these announcements started to hit the headlines almost two years ago.

"At that time, we argued that as those being forced to retire would have been the longest serving and therefore oldest members of staff; age was indeed a determining factor in these retirement decisions.

"Many of the officers and staff affected by the decision to target those with thirty years service were in their fifties and this development shows that it has been impossible to replace what these individuals were uniquely qualified to offer.

"The skills, knowledge and life experience that older people bring to all areas of employment are invaluable but this is would seem to be even more pertinent in the case of policing.

"This case clearly demonstrates the need for equal employment rights for older people so that they are able to continue working and contribute to society by making use of their skills, knowledge and life experiences."