AG: Action Taken To Improve Lawmen’s Condition Of Service

Government has taken decisive action over the years to improve the conditions of service for police officers.

This assertion has come from Attorney General Dale Marshall, who said Government had invested in real improvements for The Barbados Police Service. He made the comments in response to recent statements from the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Marshall continued: “Let me speak first to the matter of Senior Constables. This Government has already approved the creation of that rank, not as a promise, but as a concrete decision. We created 300 new posts at salary scale P20 and adjusted the rank structure accordingly.

“While implementation took longer than we had initially intended, due to the necessary alignment between the ranks of Senior Constable and Sergeant, the matter has now been resolved. A supplementary is being requested, and we anticipate that eligible officers will soon begin receiving their back pay from April 2024.

“As for Special Constables, 46 of the 47 Special Constables have agreed to transition to Police Constables and all paper work has been prepared. This transitioning requires an amendment to the Police Act, which is completed and is currently before Cabinet for final approval. Later this week, training begins for 60 more Special Constables.”

The Attorney General stated that a new Criminal Investigation Allowance had been introduced to properly recognise those engaged in investigative work, including members of the Detective and Special Branch.

“This allowance consolidated two previous ones, and the net effect is a minimum gain of more than $1,500 per month for officers, depending on the rank. That is real money, earned by real service, going to those who protect and serve under pressure.

“Additionally, we recently laid the Public Officers’ Loan and Travelling Allowance Regulations in Parliament for the benefit of Sergeants, Station Sergeants, and Detectives. Not because their roles demand mobility, but because their lives deserve fairness. This will allow them access to interest-free car loans, further improving the terms and conditions of police officers,” Mr. Marshall disclosed.

Island Constables, he stressed, have not been forgotten, as he reminded the public that in 2021, Government increased their wages from $8.50 to $9.25 per hour. He added that the wages would go up now, retroactively from June 1, to $10.50 per hour.

“And let us not forget, all of this has come on top of three rounds of salary increases for all public servants, including a five per cent increase in 2018, followed by increases of three per cent in both 2022 and 2023,” the Attorney General said.

Mr. Marshall assured that Government will remain focused and ensure that the bond between citizens and police continues to grow. 

“We will work with all persons of goodwill to be the bridge, ensuring open communication, mutual respect, and a shared responsibility for the safety of our country. We believe in our police officers. We will continue to work well with the Police Association as we have done. We have their backs, and we ask every Barbadian to stand with us, because building a safer Barbados is a duty that belongs to us all,” he urged. (PR/GIS)