State Minister in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Arthur Williams today refuted allegations made by Chairman of the Police Federation Sgt. Raymond Wilson concerning working hours and pay of police officers. 

Senator Williams in referring to Sgt. Wilson’s statement that “police officers continue to experience excessive working hours and very, very low and continuous reduced pay” said that this is an untrue and irresponsible allegation, made by the Police Federation Chairman, who at all times was integrally involved in pay negotiations with the Government. 

The State Minister said there has been no reduction in the pay of police officers as stated by Sgt. Wilson and challenged the Police Federation Chairman to provide evidence of the “continuous reduced pay.” Further Senator Williams said, that the Government in 2008, after many years of talk, for the first time, compensated police officers for their having to work above 40 hours per week. 

The compensation for working above 40 hours per week amounted to a 19% increase in the salary of police officers. Together with a restructuring of salary scales, the 15% salary increase for 08/09 and increase in housing allowance, police officers in the ranks of Constable to Sergeant have had a 39% to 48% increase in salary and allowances since this Government took office in 2007. 

For example, Senator Williams said a Constable at the maximum salary scale who earned $829,097 per year in 2007 now earns $1,151,378 per year since April 1, 2008, a 39% increase, and a Sergeant at the maximum salary scale who earned $1,102,999 per year in 2007 now earns $1,627,664 per year since April 1, 2008, a 48% increase.