'It needs to change': Former Mandurah cop fights for ongoing compensation

James Yates, who spent four of his 10 years working as an officer in Mandurah, saw no other option but to retire after developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from years of violence, including being stabbed with a syringe, being bitten and bashed, on multiple occasions.

The Dudley Park resident welcomed new legislation introduced to state parliament on May 8, allowing officers to retire with dignity, who can no longer serve due to injury or illness.

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He said previously officers would be retired under a section that was designed to deal with corrupt or poor performing officers.

Mr Yates will also receive a one-off payment from the state government as part of a $16 million redress scheme, to recognise the treatment of medically retired officers.

But, Mr Yates said there was no ongoing support in place once police were forced to retire due to mental health issues.

"It doesn't really go far enough," he said.

"It's a step in the right direction, but whose job is it then, to care for them?

"There are officers out there suffering from PTSD and medicated up to their eyeballs.

"They know if they say 'I am hurting', it threatens their career and they are likely to be medically discharged.

"Tossed out of a job with no benefits, no aftercare, no disability. It needs to change."

Mr Yates said medically retired police officers should have access to employment training programs and counselling, similar to the benefits Australian war veterans receive.

"They have disability benefits, a gold card with discounted cards for travel and concessions for their medical," he said.

"Police officers have none of that."

WA Police Union president Harry Arnott said they had been lobbying the state government for more than 30 years for a "police-specific compensation scheme" for officers who suffered a work-related injury or illness and are forced to retire from duty.

"This scheme must include a lump-sum separation payment to cover loss of future earnings, a dignified departure process and retraining or redeployment," he said.

"This scheme must be introduced without removing any existing entitlements that are in place to ensure injured police officers are given every opportunity to return to the workplace.

"We will continue (to lobby) until an appropriate scheme is passed through parliament."

WA police minister Michelle Roberts said a compensation agreement was progressing, but she did not provide a timeframe.

"I have had the privilege of meeting with many police officers who were retired through no fault of their own," she said.

"Officers who have given exemplary service to our state, but because of experiences in protecting and serving our community, have found themselves unable to continue to serve as a police officer.

"We will continue to work with the Medically Retired Officers Association of WA and the Police Union to progress compensation arrangements for police forced to medically retire because of a work-related illness or if they are injured on the job."

Ms Roberts said police officers received a range of benefits.

"They are entitled to 168 days paid sick or injury leave a year, and to also have their medical costs covered under existing arrangements," she said.

"These entitlements can be extended at the discretion of the commissioner.

"If they leave the police force, by law, they are also entitled to ongoing payment of medical expenses for any work-related injury or illness."