Victoria Police claims Injured, and have a compensation claim against Victoria Police? Arnold Thomas & Becker is representing a significant number of current and former officers and Victoria Police employees. Many tell us the greatest harm didn’t come from the frontline. It came from inside the organisation they served. Speak to us confidentially ☎ 1300 333 300 ✓Confidential ✓Obligation-free ✓No win, no fee on eligible claims* Your enquiry never goes to Victoria Police. Arnold Thomas & Becker is an entirely independent law firm and works for the best interests of our clients, always. On this page The claims Inside the organisation Women in Victoria Police How we can help FAQs Speak to us confidentially Experienced in Police Claims Arnold Thomas & Becker is currently representing a significant number of current and former police officers and Victoria Police employees in claims for psychological and physical injury. The claims cover a wide range of circumstances: Exposure to traumatic incidents Workplace violence Physical injuries sustained during operational duties Alleged bullying and harassment Alleged sexual harassment The cumulative psychological impact of policing The number and range of these claims point to more than individual misfortune. They point to the risks built into policing, and to the way injured officers are treated once they’re hurt. When the harm comes from inside the organisation Police are expected to face things most of us never will: death, violence, serious injury and human suffering. Over years, that exposure takes an enormous toll. But many of the officers who come to us describe something else. They allege that their injury was made worse by what happened inside Victoria Police. They talk about being bullied, harassed or left unsupported. Some say that doing what they believed was right put them in conflict with their own organisation. “For some officers, the harm caused by years of exposure to trauma can be compounded by what they experience within the organisation itself.” — Amila Destanovic, Senior Associate, Arnold Thomas & Becker Women in Victoria Police 40% of the police claims we’re handling involve female members 29% of Victoria Police officers are women Almost 40% of the police claims we’re handling involve female members. Women make up about 29% of Victoria Police officers. A number of these matters involve allegations of sexual harassment, inappropriate workplace behaviour, bullying or other gender-related conduct. Physical injuries on the job We also act for officers physically injured during operational duties. For many, the injury is only the start. They face long recoveries, uncertainty about returning to operational policing, and difficult medical, disciplinary or compensation processes at a time when they’re already vulnerable. “When they are injured doing that work, the system should support their recovery rather than add to their distress.” — Amila Destanovic 📰 In the news Victoria Police culture under the spotlight The Daily Mail reports on claims of bullying and the treatment of women inside Victoria Police, including the stories of Jacob Laidlaw and Shona O’Connor. Read the Daily Mail article → How we can help If you’ve been injured, physically or psychologically, while serving with Victoria Police, you may be entitled to compensation. That can include WorkCover benefits for lost wages and medical treatment, lump sum compensation, and in some cases a common law damages claim. If you’re a Victoria Police member, whether a sworn officer, PSO or VPS employee, and you’re injured at work, you may be able to make a WorkCover claim. This covers both physical and psychological injuries. Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to weekly payments for lost wages, medical and treatment costs, a lump sum for permanent impairment and, in some cases, common law damages. Changes in March 2024 made some mental injury claims harder to get accepted. However, psychological injuries caused by bullying, harassment, discrimination or traumatic events that come with police work can still be covered. Former members can claim too, and a rejected claim can often be challenged. Our team can help you: ✓understand your rights and what you may be entitled to ✓lodge or manage a WorkCover claim, or challenge a rejected one ✓deal with return-to-work, medical and compensation processes ✓understand your options if you’ve been bullied, harassed or treated adversely for speaking up NO WIN NO FEE* No win, no fee. No fear. Speak to us confidentially Confidential. Obligation-free. No win, no fee on eligible claims*. Start my confidential enquiry → 📞 1300 333 300 FAQs Will Victoria Police find out that I’ve contacted you? No. Your enquiry is confidential and goes only to our legal team. We won’t contact Victoria Police or your employer without your instructions. Can I make a claim if I’m still serving? Yes. Many of the officers we act for are current members. We can talk through your options and how a claim may affect your work, so you can decide what’s right for you. I left the force years ago. Is it too late? Not necessarily. Psychological injuries often build up over many years, and some people only recognise the impact after leaving. Time limits can apply, so it’s worth getting advice as early as you can. My injury wasn’t caused by one incident. Can I still claim? Possibly. Psychological injury can come from a single traumatic event, years of exposure to trauma, workplace factors such as alleged bullying or harassment, or a combination of all of these. My WorkCover claim was rejected. Can you help? Yes. A rejected claim isn’t necessarily the end of the road. We can review the decision and advise you on whether to challenge it. What will it cost? We run eligible claims on a no win, no fee basis*. Support services If you need support now, these services are available: Lifeline13 11 14 (24/7) Beyond Blue1300 22 4636 (24/7) 1800RESPECT1800 737 732 (24/7)For people affected by sexual harassment or sexual assault In an emergency, call 000 Speak to us confidentially ☎ 1300 333 300