POLICE are to question scores of former officers who have retired on health grounds.

The review by Cleveland Police has been backed by the Cleveland Police Authority.

A statement by the police authority said that one officer has already to returned to duty as a result of the study.

It is part of a review designed to cut back a £21m pensions bill - almost 20 per cent of the force's entire revenue budget.

Police authority chairman Councillor Ken Walker said: "This is a sensible measure to strike the right balance between ensuring that officers injured on duty are treated fairly and being satisfied that public money is being spent properly."

So far, 50 letters have been sent to individuals with a questionnaire asking about their health and their current employment. The questionnaires will be examined by a doctor, who will then be allowed to interview the former officers.

Officers who have served for 20 years, who receive a medical pension, can be granted a pension of up to £20,000 a year and a lump sum of £50,000.

Coun Walker said: "We all want to ensure that any officer who suffers an injury while serving the public is properly treated.

"At the same time, obviously, individuals' circumstances can change over a period of time and it makes sense to introduce a proactive review system.

"It is in the interests of both the officers concerned and the public that the system is seen to operate on the basis of both fairness to the individuals concerned and proper regard to the use of public money."