The payout of over £135 million to settle claims by former officers for “loss of hearing” during the course of their duties, has been described as “unjustifiable” by Derry Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.
Details of payments – more than £65m of which was for legal fees – were revealed by the PSNI in response to a Freedom of Information request by Belfast-based victims group Relatives for Justice.
Up to the end of November, compensation was paid to 8,641 former officers, with hundreds of other claims pending.
As the only routinely armed police force in the Britain, Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers had to undergo regular firearms training.
It was found that since the late 1960s, police sources were aware of medical evidence that they had to provide sufficient ear protection for anyone involved in this kind of activity.
Firing ranges
However, the RUC did not provide “industry standard” ear protection for another three decades.
Of the £135,357,689 paid out, £70,161,788 was damages paid to former officers while £65,195,901 was for legal and court costs.
Mr McCartney said the amount paid out was “extortionate.”
He added: “This is clearly unjustifiable and cannot be stood over.
“These officers were well paid and this public money could have been used elsewhere.”
Mr McCartney claimed “a lot” of those receiving the money were former members who had “possibly” received very large pay outs.
He added: “They are also in receipt of significant pensions following the implementation of Patten.”
He added the burden of burden of the costs needed to be carried by the British Government as policing was under their control when most of the cases took place.
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