Police plan more sick-out; action not approved by their union

Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs has expressed concern about security in the wake of plans by some police officers for a second round of sick-out action Monday and Tuesday to press demands for higher pay. 

Last week about 300 of them failed to report for duty. However the action has not been sanctioned by their union.

President of the Police Association Sgt Anand Ramesar told the Express newspaper Saturday the association "did not and will not" approve of any sick-out action by police officers.

He said the association met on Friday and discussed options to highlight concerns about the negotiations with the Chief Personnel Officer, who has offer a five per cent wage increase.

"It was discussed that we see how best we could treat with the matter in a lawful manner. They have stated that enough is enough. The possibility of getting the spouses and relatives of police officers to be part of a march to highlight their concerns may be a good course of action," Ramesar suggested.

He said the CPO's recent public statement that she is not increasing her five per cent increase "triggered a lot of resentment and concerns that officers are being dealt with in bad faith. We have had no word from the Prime Minister, the Minister of National Security and the Finance Minister, given the fact that we are dealing with issues of national security".

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissesssar stated publicly last week that the government cannot afford more than the five per cent currently on the table. She reminded the police of the tax-free allowance of $1,000 for police officer, noting that alone brings the increase in line with 17 per cent. The police are demanding 40 per cent.

Gibbs has pleaded with police officers to put their grouses aside and put the security of their country first.

"All our officers are hired basically to serve the public and we are going to do that the best way we can in terms of making sure that we protect their interest that they don't feel at risk. 

"So any type of action that the police take I hope that they take that into consideration, really, they got to think of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago first and after that I hope they have success at their negotiations," Gibbs said.

  

Deputy Police Commissioner in charge of administration, Stephen Williams, said Sunday only a handful of “miscreants” is creating trouble within the Police Service. 

“In the Police Service, like any other organisation, there would be a handful of delinquents who messed things up,” he said. Williams is confident that operations would continue to run smoothly, including court matters. 

Williams expressed confidence in the majority of officers, saying he expects they will be at work because of their loyalty and commitment. He is sure that they will continue to demonstrate that loyalty on Monday and Tuesday.