We approved big $$ for police: PNM MP

Opposition MP Donna Cox told Parliament Wednesday the Manning administration had approved proposals for salary increases for police officers.

She said the plan would have increased the stipend for a trainee from $4,500 to $8,000 and a police superintendent’s salary would have moved from $14,000 to $23,000.

Cox, who was speaking in the budget debate, said she chaired the team that approved the proposals, adding that the matter of increased pay for the police was left in the hands of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO).

And she called on the new People’s Partnership administration to implement the increases.

Cox produced a document dated April 29, 2010 titled “Police Compensation Review—Working Committee Report” with details of the increases for the police:

• Trainee—from $4,800 monthly stipend to $8,000
• Corporal—from monthly salary of $6,745 to $11,000
• Sergeant—from $8,205 monthly to $13,225
• Inspector—from $9,000 to $15,000
• Superintendent—from $14,000 to $23,130
• Assistant Senior Supt—from $11,500 to $17,400

“This was an excellent, excellent package for police officers, we were pushing to get it done,” Cox told MPs.

She told reporters the intention in pushing the high increase for recruits was intended to attract a high calibre of persons to the service.

Cox also called on the Government to extend the $1,000 allowance for police to other National Security divisions, noting that personnel in all divisions risk their lives to protect citizens.

The former junior minister in the national security ministry said her government had done its best to fight crime and she commended retired acting commissioner James Philbert for the service he has provided.

She said under Philbert's watch kidnappings had decreased, and other aspects of crime has gone down.

She complained about the manner in which Philbert was relieved of his duties, stating that he was "dumped on the road like a derelict vehicle!"