In a groundbreaking legal decision, two British Transport Police (BTP) officers have won their High Court battle against Sussex Police over unpaid overtime during a controversial secondment period.
The officers, who were temporarily assigned to Sussex Police's specialist firearms unit in Eastbourne between 2018 and 2020, claimed they were routinely required to work additional hours without proper compensation. The High Court ruled this week that Sussex Police must pay the outstanding overtime wages.
A Precedent-Setting Case
Legal experts suggest this judgment could have far-reaching implications for police forces across the UK. The ruling establishes that officers seconded to other forces maintain their original employment terms, including overtime entitlements.
The BTP officers argued that while working with Sussex Police's firearms team, they frequently worked beyond their scheduled shifts during high-profile events and operations. Despite these extra hours, they allegedly received no additional pay from Sussex Police.
Police Force Responsibilities Clarified
The court's decision clarifies the financial responsibilities between forces when officers are seconded. Justice Thompson stated in his ruling: "The receiving force cannot benefit from an officer's services while ignoring their contractual rights."
Sussex Police had contended that as the officers remained technically employed by BTP during the secondment, overtime payments weren't their responsibility. The court rejected this argument, finding that the practical working arrangement created an obligation to compensate for extra hours worked.
Potential Ripple Effects
Police unions have welcomed the verdict, suggesting it may lead to similar claims from other officers who've experienced comparable situations during inter-force secondments.
A spokesperson for the British Transport Police Federation commented: "This judgment rightly protects our members' employment rights. All officers deserve fair compensation for the extra hours they dedicate to public safety."
Sussex Police have acknowledged the ruling but haven't yet confirmed whether they will appeal the decision. Legal analysts estimate the compensation owed to the two officers could exceed £15,000, with potentially more claims to follow.
