The night before Christmas Eve almost 20 years ago, after four years in the West Australian Police Force, MarkGlenn Harmony was told he was no longer a police officer.

He had spinal injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being first on the scene to countless traumatic car accidents, murders and suicides since joining the force in 1996.

Mr Harmony remembered one day vividly:

"The first four callouts, three were sudden deaths — suicides — so before lunchtime I'd already had to attend three suicides," he said.

"Basically you're taught from day one not to show any weakness, not to show these incidents have impacted you or have an effect on you."

MarkGlenn Harmony with injuries incurred on the job. ( Supplied )

In 2000, Mr Harmony was deemed no longer fit for work with WA Police.

He was forced to medically retire and was given a 28-day pay cheque with no worker's compensation.

"I asked them to put it off for two weeks without pay," Mr Harmony said.

"I didn't need pay, but [I said], 'Please don't stamp it. Don't ruin this Christmas and every other Christmas to come', but they stuck with it.

"They just throw us out on the scrapheap. We are worth nothing to them."

One of many with no job, no compensation

Mr Harmony is among hundreds of former WA officers who lost their jobs under old laws that gave the police commissioner power to retire people with mental illness or physical injuries sustained on the job.

The same legislation was used to forcefully retire corrupt officers.

The bill was reversed in 2019, but for some it came too late.

WA's Police Union said its members were the only officers in Australia not covered by a death or disability compensation scheme.

Union president Harry Arnott said a police-specific scheme was needed for officers who suffered a work-related injury or illness and could no longer work.

"WAPU has been lobbying successive state governments for more than 30 years for this coverage," he said.

"Due to the nature of the work police officers do every day for the community, putting their bodies on the line, there is a moral obligation for the McGowan Government to address this matter as a priority."

MarkGlenn Harmony is a recipient of the WA Police Star, WA Police Service Medal, National Police Service Medal and Aboriginal Service Medal.

State apologies for 'indignity'

Last month, Police Minister Michelle Roberts and Commissioner Chris Dawson announced $16 million in redress to more than 250 former officers and made a formal apology to those affected.

Just before Christmas, eligible former officers received individual offers.

"Officers have received such variations in amounts that some have been awarded a mere $17,300 and others close to $100,000," Mr Harmony said.

"That's less than a year's wage for all you lost — your health, wellbeing, career, friends — you lost your home and family.

"For many, this redress scheme is a complete disgrace.

"I fear that this further poor treatment of former officers will impact them emotionally and send many on a one-way path to self-destruction."

'Massive amounts of disparity'

Matt Cole was an officer for about 30 years but was retired with complex PTSD in 2015.

He was eligible for the redress offer, but said the way it was carried out caused more frustration and damage to fellow ex-officers.

"There's massive amounts of disparity in the offers given and has caused people a lot of anger … we're all dismissed under the same section for similar reasons," he said.

"I think it has done further damage to people."

Mr Cole said he would never forget being told that the force "no longer had faith" in him.

"It was disheartening. I loved what I did. I was very passionate about policing and helping the community," he said.

"There's no post-separation support. It's, 'Sorry, here's 28 days' pay — see you later'.

"I think I got more emails and letters from WA Police asking for their uniforms back than I did [which asked]: 'How are you doing?'"

Mr Cole was unable to attend the recent ceremonies due to his PTSD but was eligible for the redress scheme.

Righting a historical wrong

The Minister said the Government was looking at introducing a police disability compensation scheme next year.

Both Mr Cole and Mr Harmony said it should also be available to past medically retired officers.

But while Ms Roberts admitted past laws were regrettable, she said the new reforms meant it would never happen again.

"The Police Amendment (Medical Retirement) Bill 2019 establishes a new standalone scheme for medical retirement, ensuring police officers can be medically retired with the dignity and respect they deserve," she said.

Ms Roberts said she hoped ceremonies and presenting certificates of honourable discharge would right a historical wrong.

She said the redress scheme would recognise the service and acknowledge the treatment of some medically retired officers.