NSW: Police Commissioner approves hurt-on-duty claim

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2006
NSW: Police Commissioner approves hurt-on-duty claim

SYDNEY, April 16 AAP - NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney has reversed his decision
on a compensation claim from the family of a top undercover policeman who died in 2003.

The move to grant the hurt-on-duty claim means the wife of Detective Inspector Andy
Day is now entitled to a widow's pension.

The 45-year-old officer died of pneumonia after contracting flu-like symptoms following
an office clean-up job.

He was one of six officers who got sick after clearing out files from a secret warehouse
which was allegedly crawling with mites and thick black dust.

Mr Moroney earlier knocked back the hurt-on-duty claim, despite approving similar claims
from two other officers.

But after critical media reports last week, Mr Moroney ordered the police legal service
to refer all materials relating to the hurt-on-duty claim to independent legal counsel
for urgent advice.

Mr Moroney today said independent counsel had found Mr Day's working environment had
exacerbated a pre-existing medical condition that led to his death.

"I have taken the immediate decision to reverse the finding made by the delegate of
the NSW Police Workers Compensation Unit," Mr Moroney said in a statement.

"I grant the hurt-on-duty claim and order the delegate issues a new certificate stating
Detective Inspector Day's death was, in fact, caused by him being hurt on duty."

Mr Moroney said he had notified Insp Day's wife of his decision.

State Coroner John Abernethy is preparing to investigate the officer's death.

AAP ag/cdh/nf

KEYWORD: DAY

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