When someone leaves policing, they're not just giving up a job. For many, a role in policing becomes a central part of their life and even their identity. Transitioning to a life outside of service can be tough. This guide has been designed for forces, with the aim of ensuring that those leaving the police service are given the knowledge, support and recognition that they rightly deserve.
The recommendations and guidance contained are as a result of extensive research with retirees, personal experiences and interviews with vested organisations, such as NARPO, the Police Federation and Unison.
Policing is a difficult and complex profession and for some the prospect of life after the job, can seem very daunting. Providing a range of resources to support our leavers, assists with their planning and helps them to face the future with confidence. It is in the public interest that those leaving policing, who want to continue to work, do so.
The wider OK Leavers programme is underpinned by independently conducted research and the engagement work built on crowdsourcing the real-life experience.
We hope that this guide will help forces in developing how they communicate with and support those leaving the police service.