Hope citizens in trini have their own protection by now because this going to get worst. Hearing this straight from sources in east-west corridor branches and central branches.... This all rooted from the disbelief of paying the COP millions of dollars salary last year, yet other ranks are only offered a 5% raise... Also calling in Sick ffrom working in carnival events are next....
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Security lapse
PM, CJ, AG homes affected as cops sick out again
By Akile Simon
Story Created: Feb 15, 2011 at 12:53 AM ECT
SECURITY at the private residence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and Chief Justice Ivor Archie was reportedly affected yesterday, as scores of police officers stayed off the job in protest action over the state of their salary negotiations.
Police officers have been up in arms over the Chief Personnel Officer's (CPO) proposed five per cent increase in salaries.
Sources at the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), which provides 24-hour security at the PM, AG and CJ's residences, said none of their officers showed up for duty yesterday and the same is expected today, when the protest action is to continue.
The Express was told that alternative security arrangements were eventually put in place to ensure the homes of the senior State officials were adequately protected.
Operations at several magistrates' courts throughout the country were also severely affected as police officers called in sick, resulting in prisoners not being taken from the prisons.
Yesterday's action came on the heels of a meeting last Friday by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association's general council to chart a way forward.
Two Mondays ago, officers also stayed off the job. Yesterday, they intensified those actions, demanding that the Government intervene in the impasse with the CPO regarding negotiations.
Many police stations along the East-West Corridor were deserted yesterday and the handful of CID officers present were assigned to the charge rooms to supplement the strength of their missing colleagues.
There was also a large number of absenteeism at the Traffic Branch. Motorists took full advantage of the absence of officers along the highway, as many of them drove along the shoulder as they made their way into Port of Spain during the early morning rush-hour traffic.
The majority of officers who showed up for duty were Special Reserve Police officers, who themselves are disgruntled after not being paid money owed to them since last July.
Operations within several policing divisions, sections and units throughout the Police Service are expected to be affected again today and tomorrow, as police officers have vowed to continue their "protest action".
Police officers have threatened to shut down all Carnival activities, including fetes, leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday, if their demands are not met.
Officers are seeking a 40 per cent increase as opposed to the consolidated offer of five per cent over a three-year period offered by the CPO.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy have condemned the sick-out action by the police, saying that five per cent is all that can be offered at this stage.
Sandy described the officers who stayed off the job last week as "unpatriotic".
Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs also pleaded with police officers to put their grouses aside and put the security of their country first. He also promised that steps are being taken to ensure a safe Carnival, should there be any further action by police officers.
The police association has distanced itself from the action taken by its officers.