Frustrated officers met with Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce yesterday after it was rumoured there would be a boycott of Crop Over s over long-standing issues.
He assured them that Government was working assiduously to resolve the issues which includes increase remuneration and back pay.
Some officers contacted the Weekend Nation to express anger over the delay in the promotion of police officers serving 20 years to senior constables as announced by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley 14 months ago.
When contacted, Attorney General Dale Marshall said: “The police leadership of the Police Service has been engaging the Police Association and has kept the association abreast on the matter of the payments. The association has in turn communicated to its membership. In addition, the Commissioner of Police met with the general membership of the service [yesterday] morning and explained the process.”
He added that there were “about 260 officers who will benefit from this significant improvement in their terms and conditions. The human resources directorate for the Public Service has already begun to input the information for the increases into SmartStream. While there will always be some angst when increments are delayed, the officers are well aware that they are going to receive back pay”.
Marshall said he was also satisfied that diligent efforts were being made to ensure the officers receive this increase in the shortest possible time.
An anonymous WhatsApp message which was circulated among the police highlighted what some perceived as broken promises. It called for the rank and file to band together.
“If ever there was a time for unity it is now. The country is in a violent firearm crisis and the response to that is to make your underpaid, understaffed, police service work six days a week. Let’s be realistic and truthful.
“The police service is surviving by the mere fact that police officers work extra duty daily as there are not enough police. This is an island-wide issue which is supported by the Government as they increased the money allotted to the extra duty, almost triple in some areas,” the message stated.
“ Crop Over is upon us and police are expected to rise yet again from working six days a week to sacrificing every day to police Crop Over. When will enough be enough and [those] on the plantation need to stand together and say no more? Police worked some Crop Over events in 2024 and received payment in 2025.
“Promises of senior constables allowance since March 18, 2024, have not come to pass. This is a direct slap in the face. Promises of correction of increments were made and have not yet seen the light of day. Another slap in the face. Not even the consideration of double pay for giving up an off day or Foreday Morning or Kadooment Day . . . . A punch in the gut. Now is the time to say . . . no more . . . . Without better treatment, remuneration and facilities, we cannot get it done.”
The writer also urged the high command to “support your men and fight for them . . . . Fight for your men and women and
they will fight for you. Leave them to suffer alone and you will have to come out from behind desks and do the work of many”.
Length of time
A constable with more than 20 years’ service told the Weekend Nation they were annoyed by the length of time it was taking to receive the promised promotion.
“Even if we did not get the back pay, we could understand that they are working on it, but we have not even received the raise for the senior constables which is $291 every month. They keep telling us all the time that it is supposed to happen.
“Since last year March, the Prime Minister said we would be promoted to senior constables with immediate effect. This is now 14 months later. We are fed up. In 2009, a document came out that every police officer was to get an additional $800 on their salary as well as extra duty money. Up to now, we have never received that. We cannot let this happen again. We are putting our lives on the line working every day in difficult circumstances. If the money isn’t paid this month, the affected persons are going to sick-out for Crop Over.”
However, president of the Police Association, Inspector Wendley Carter, while admitting that officers were frustrated, expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved soon.
“I understand the frustration but there is a process,” he stated, explaining it involved making sure all the officers with 20 years of service were included and that the new position would become an advancement of service.
“We have spoken to as many members as we could and we have told them that it takes more time than we expect, but it should come to pass soon. The most important thing is that they will get back pay from March 2024,” he stressed.
Pointing out that there was a large turnout of police officers at yesterday’s meeting, he said only one person asked about the delay.
“The Commissioner explained to him the process, which we also explained. It’s a senior constable post and they want to do things that will make them, when you come, you will notice that they are senior constables. I suspect that by September, everything should be finalised. They said they started putting it into SmartStream and everything,” Carter said.
He admitted that police were unsettled because correspondence from the Ministry of the Public Service was sent to them indicating they would be promoted to the new position and receive the increased pay from May this year.
Asked if he anticipated any disruptions to the Crop Over Festival, Carter said he was “100 per cent” sure there would not be a dereliction of duties by police officers during the packed weekend of festivities. (MB)
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