Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (Full-time) (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Regulations 1996

Sick leave

26.—(1) A member shall not be entitled to be absent from duty on account of injury or illness unless a registered medical practitioner has certified him to be unfit for duty:

• Provided that—

  (a)

  with the consent of the Police Authority, a member may be so absent without such certificate of unfitness where the period of unfitness for duty does not exceed 7 days, including any day on which, even if he were fit to do so, he would not have been required to perform police duty;

  (b)

  if, notwithstanding such certificate of unfitness for duty, a registered medical practitioner, appointed or approved by the Police Authority, has examined the member and considers him to be fit for duty, the Police Authority shall, if the medical practitioner who issued the certificate of unfitness for duty agrees, within 28 days of the difference of opinion coming to its attention, arrange for a third registered medical practitioner to examine the member and to report, in writing, to the other two practitioners concerned; the third registered medical practitioner shall be acceptable to the practitioner who issued the certificate of unfitness for duty and to the practitioner who has examined the member on behalf of the Police Authority, except that in the event of a failure to agree, the Police Authority may appoint such third registered medical practitioner as it considers appropriate; and if the third registered medical practitioner certifies the member to be fit for duty, or if the medical practitioner who issued the certificate of unfitness for duty does not agree to such further examination, the member shall no longer be entitled to be absent from duty.

(2) This regulation shall apply to a member who is in quarantine as it applies to a member who is ill and any reference to fitness or unfitness for duty shall be construed accordingly.