The officers are demanding a 40 per cent increase in pay but so far the government's best offer is five per cent.
Following last week's action, which left the private residences of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Chief Justice Ivor Archie without proper security, Persad-Bissessar called in 400 Defence Force Reserves to assist with national security.
The Sunday Express reported that it has obtained the details of the planned action from a text message circulating among police officers. The paper said the message stated:
"We takin a stand...two (2) dys sick leave Mon 28th Feb n Tues 1st March. No extra duties. WE WANT WE MONEY NOW! Broadcast this."
On February 18, the Prime Minister made a statement to the House of Representatives in which she denounced the "irresponsible" sickout by police officers, calling it "drastic and dangerous.
"As Prime Minister I can assure you this level of irresponsibility will not go unchecked," she said.
"Those members of the Police Service who may believe that an abandonment of their duty to conduct an essential service such as the protection of our citizens will find favor either with the public or the Government as a negotiation tactic can expect quite the opposite," Persad-Bissessar said.
At the same time she commended those officers who went "beyond the call of duty" to protect and serve the nation. She also praised defence force personnel who joined the police to provide safety for the country.
Persad-Bissessar stated that she is mindful of the need for reasonable adjustments to the working conditions of police officers.
"Your Government has to act with fiscal responsibility and make prudent decisions that are in the long term national interest but which in the short term may be unpopular in some sectors.
"The nation cannot be held to ransom. Public safety is paramount and cannot be compromised or used as a negotiation tool. It is the reason why certain services are ordained by law to be essential and the withdrawal of such services is strictly prohibited," she said.
She advised the House that she has held discussions with the Minister of National Security, the Commissioner of Police and the head of the defence force and "I want to assure members of the public that necessary provisions have been put in place to deal with breaches of security at every level and that discussions have been held and resources identified to deal with any situation."
She added, "I hold each police officer who fails to carry out his or her lawful duty to protect and serve citizens responsible for every crime which could have been prevented but for dereliction of duty.
"Everyone is affected by the irresponsible acts of a small number of police officers including the very families and friends of those who abandon their jobs...we must not allow the action of a few misguided police officers to tarnish the reputation of the dedicated majority," she declared.
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