Police back down on threats after meeting with PM

Police officers decided on Wednesday to back away from its threat to boycott next week's Independence Day parade.

It came during a private meeting between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and members of executive of the Police Social Welfare Association. Some members of the the cabinet were also present at the talks, which lasted about three hours.

Commenting on the meeting, the association's president, Sgt Anand Ramesar, said it resulted in a 'win-win" situation.

Persad-Bissessar also met Wednesday with the Prisons Officers' Second Division Association (POA). The president of the association told the Trinidad Express the discussions were "cordial and fruitful".

Ramroop told the paper, "We were given assurances from the honourable Prime Minister that there will be action for our concerns. An inter ministerial team will look at our proposals, and a report will be submitted by the team next week Wednesday."

That team includes Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar, National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy and Security Adviser to the Prime Minister Gary Griffith.