With general elections in the air, the Keith Mitchell-led New National Party (NNP) government has signed a new attractive wage pact to police officers offering them increased salaries and improved fringe benefits.
A memorandum of agreement with the Police Welfare Association and Gazetted Officers was signed at the Cabinet Room in the Prime Minister's Office on Monday.
Gazetted Officers are policemen from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and upwards.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell who also holds the portfolio of National Security and Finance, as well as Police Commissioner, Winston James, and Senator Einstein Louison, the day to-day commander in the Ministry of National Security.
A notable presence at the signing ceremony was former Sergeant of Police, Carl Caton who left the police earlier in the year to take up a Senatorial appointment with government and to most likely contest the rural St. Patrick East seat in the upcoming general elections against opposition Leader, Tillman Thomas.
Caton is the second police officer to have joined the ranks of the NNP and to be short-listed as a possible candidate.
The other is former Commissioner of Police, Fitzroy Bedeau who is in line to replace Labour and Education Minister, Claris Charles as the Candidate for NNP in the St. John's Constituency.
A third police officer, holding the rank of Superintendent has reportedly turned down an offer to contest the St. David's seat for Dr. Mitchell's NNP.
The new wage agreement reached covers the period 2006 to 2009.
In 2006, the 850 Officers of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) will receive 6%, 4% and 3% respectively from the lowest bracket of Constable to Commissioner.
For each of the years, 2007, 2008 and 2009, the various ranks in the force will receive 5%, 4% and 3%.
According to Prime Minister Mitchell, the increase to RGPF members came out of the announcement he made earlier this year at a political meeting of his New National Party about a wage agreement that government had reached with the Public Workers Union (PWU).
It later turned out that the announcement was premature as PWU members voted against the package in the wake of increases in transportation cost and some consumer items.
Dr. Mitchell said that whatever new agreement is eventually reached with the PWU will affect the wage increases now given to police officers.
"If the government has to move from its position with the initial agreement with the public workers with whatever additional increase we give, or if we have to subtract, either we will have to come up with some more money or the policemen may have to repay us from the increases we have given," he added.
Apart from the new wage pact, police officers are in line to enjoy increases in varying fringe benefits.
Duty allowances which was previously $300.00 per month, is being increased by $50.00. All officers, except for those from the commissioners' rank, will benefit from that allowance.
Rent allowance that was previously $150.00 has been increased to $200.00 per month for married male officers at all ranks of RGPF.
Married male and female recruits will receive $150.00 while on probation, and on completion of the probationary period the amount will be increased to $200.00 per month.
A new allowance of $60.00 will be paid to every police officer in the force.
All policemen appointed as licensing officers will now receive a licensing allowance of $75.00 per month.
In addition, a new disruptive allowance for police officers who are transferred from the mainland to Carriacou or Petit Martinique, or vice versa will be paid out in the sum of $200.00 per month to cater for the disruption in his or her family life.
Police officers who are assigned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Drug Squad and Special Branch are also in line to benefit from a new detective allowance of $100.00 per month.
If an officer die in the line of duty, his beneficiary will receive a death benefit of no more than two years of that officer's salary.
In cases where an officer dies in service, the State will be responsible for his or her burial at specified rates.
Police Constable will receive burial up to a maximum of $8,000.00, Cadet Officers and Inspectors up to a maximum of $10,000.00, Assistant Superintendents to Superintendents up to a maximum of $12,000.00, and Assistant Commissioner of Police to Commissioner, $14,000.00.
Dr. Mitchell announced that government will now endeavour to secure five scholarships per annum for tertiary education for members of the RGPF in areas related to police services.
As an additional incentive to police officers, a fund will be established by the RGPF for awarding a meritorious allowance for exemplary service.
The Police Welfare Association is charged with the responsibility of negotiating a better medical benefit.
Junior Minister of National Security, Sen. Einstein Louison who also addressed the signing ceremony described the wage agreement as a major achievement.
He said he welcomes the agreement for fringe benefits and wage increases for the RGPF since the peace, safety and security of the country is paramount.
