Attorney General Dale Marshall has pushed back against claims made by the Leader of the Opposition, defending Government’s handling of police welfare and working conditions.
He outlined several initiatives already implemented, including the creation of 300 Senior Constable posts, appointment of Special Constables with more in training, a new Criminal Investigation Allowance, adjustments to the travelling allowance regulations, and increased hourly wages for Island Constables.
Marshall said Government has focused on facts and real improvements, not rhetoric.
Below is the full statement by Attorney General Dale Marshall:
In recent days, the Leader of the Opposition has attempted to cast doubt on this Government’s commitment to the brave men and women of the Barbados Police Service, but the facts do not support his position.
Since taking office, this Government has taken decisive action to improve the conditions of service for our officers. Not with bluster, but with substance. We’ve invested in real improvements, not rhetoric.
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.
On the issue of Special Constables, every officer with three or more years of service has been appointed, and to go further, later this week, training begins for 60 more Special Constables. This is how you strengthen The Service.
We have also introduced a new Criminal Investigation Allowance 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 (POLTA) 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.
Importantly, this Government has not forgotten the Island Constables. In 2021, we moved their wages from $8.50 to $9.25 per hour, and they will go up now, retroactively from June 1st, 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 percent increase in 2018, followed by increases of three percent in both 2022 and 2023.
This is not the time for distractions. And certainly not the time for Opposition figures to be hosting interviews and fanning flames while the nation is calling for calm and clear-headedness.
This is not a game. And we will not participate in any tit-for-tat.
The Government of Barbados will remain focused on facts, focused on service, and focused on ensuring 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.
