News

Minister heckled at police conference

Thursday, September 02, 2010

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Security Minister Dwight Nelson was yesterday heckled by delegates attending the Jamaica Police Federation 67th Annual Joint Conference as he addressed the vexed issue of the outstanding seven per cent wage increase due to the officers.

Several rank and file policemen and women openly expressed their displeasure because the minister failed to say when they would get their outstanding money.

"I submit to you that we in the Government are committed to achieving some semblance of closure as it relates to your salary negotiations; there have been differences in the way we believe we should go forward, but let me assure you that we are determine to find a way to achieve finality in these pressing demands," Senator Nelson told delegates.

But the Nelson's assurance provided little comfort to members who have been in a militant mood all day over the vexed issue as delegates vowed to send a strong message to the Government that the money should be paid.

"We want to know how we money a go; tell we how the money a go," a delegate shouted as the minister attempted to address the issue.

"If you ask me to speak at your conference, at least display the courtesy and let me speak," Senator Nelson appealed.

Speaking shortly before the minister, the chairman of the federation Sergeant Raymond Wilson accused the administration and the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) of blatant wrongdoings when they backed former Tivoli Garden's strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke when the Americans requested his extradition.

Sergeant Wilson chastised the Government for the millions of dollars which were reportedly paid to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to lobby against Coke's extradition and called on the administration to place the same focus on its outstanding wage dispute.

The administration has maintained that the money paid to Manatt was by the JLP and not the Government.

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COMMENTS (18)

Kisiwa Mtumishi
9/2/2010

I think these so called hecklers need to be fingered and disciplined. they are supposed to be trained professionals we cannot have order or rather disorder of this magnitude and severity at these levels. These individuals are contracted by and to the government to serve the people of Jamaica, and must do so in a manner deserving of such a privileged. This demon of opportunism must be exorcised from the civil services where was this vehemence when both memorandums of understanding were signed?

Sean H.
9/2/2010

@Winston G.
Do you realize that the Police are also SERVANTS of the people?
Don't you realize that respect and decency should be between both 'servant' and 'master'? Being a 'servant' does not mean that you should be the object of disrespectful behaviour ... but I guess you don't know that.

john blake
9/2/2010

Bruce turned his ministers into lamb to be slaughtered long before the MPP issues - and its worst now. They will be abused until they are finally voted out of office. So sad when we will have no alternative but to go back to a continuation of what we got 18 and 1/2 years.

Texroy Davidson
9/2/2010

Very importantly. We need to recognize that the Government recklessly signed contracts with civil servants before the IMF deal. What should have happened is before going into the IMF deal the govt should have settle salary dispute by probable paying half before, and arrange to pay the other half 3yrs after the IMF deal when the economy is less rocky. On the contrary the Gov't show no regards for the civil servants after entering the contract. They start behaving as if it doesn't exist

mark kendall
9/2/2010

Who paid Manatt, Phelps and Phillips?

Winston G
9/2/2010

I have always been a bit disappointed when I see the public hugging up politicians as if they are heroes and calling them, our servants, "boss". It is good to see that we are coming to realize they are our SERVANTS and MUST answer to us. I don't endorse unethical behavior like interrupting when the Minister is speaking, but we MUST stand up to our politicians and let them know who is the real boss here. In that regard, this is good.

Sean H.
9/2/2010

People say that it is because the police are poorly paid that they extort money from motorists and other people.
No! It is because such cops are thieves and no matter what they are paid those will always be thieves.
Now if you purge those wretches from the police force there would be enough money left over to pay the increase to the rest.
Raymond Wilson would not see that because he is too busy playing politics. He should resign and join a party (obviously, not the JLP).

Kweli Simba
9/2/2010

@mike daley; I feel your pain. But anger and rhetoric will not solve the problem that the police force and the govt. is facing. The reality is the govt. don't have the money. The money that was alleged to have gone to MPP was funded by party money [allegedly] and is chump change in the scheme of things discussed by the affected parties. Recall there are the teachers, nurses, police and other entities swarming the govt. for contracted agreemnts made over the years. To crush the govt. because of a misstep would be ill advised and divisive.

Steve Allen
9/2/2010

The old time politics that one time runs the JCF by the government is long gone, there is no room for it Jamaica at this present time and age.
Adjustments must be made to all leves in our government
for the development of Jamaica.
If we have leaders in our government who continue the old time system , Jamaica will continue to be left behind the developed countries of the world.
We need fresh blood to govern our country with new ideas.

PL BOGLE
9/2/2010

@Nicolas Henry In other words what your saying that the motoring public should bare the burden for increase in wage for the police. There we go again. Why is it always the poor who has to carry the burden? Dont forget this , many of these motorist depend on their vehicle for their lively hood. There is already an agreement on wage freeze so, it wouldnt matter anyway! Corrupt or no corruption.

real southy
9/2/2010

police nuh fi get nuh increase. dem tax people everyday on the streets. THE MOST CORRUPT ENTITY IN ALL JAMAICA!!!!

PL BOGLE
9/2/2010

In my opinion the work force is the engine of any society service & maintain it & it will take you places. I cant support institutions like the IMF. Its agreement always includes wage freeze. Its like putting a cap on fuel supply i support better wages for public servants b.c thats the only way the country will move forward.

mike daley
9/2/2010

This is the sort of challenge that the gov't need to have from not just John Public, but the different groups in society. The JA Police Fed head had every right to tek Mr. Nelson to task and challenge that the gov't priority is grossly skewed. Sgt. Wilson is right! The govt invest capital & resource in defending Dudus, but apply a much more dilluted effort when it came to the JCF salary. The same people who had to literally safe the govt skin from the very monster that the govt created..

Nicolas Henry
9/2/2010

The police collect too much bribes. The fines that should be imposed on motorist for offenses go in their pockets. Where is the money going to come from to pay them more? Jamaicans motorist commit enough offenses. If prosecuted correctly without corruption, there would be more than enough to pay the police alot more.

Kweli Simba
9/2/2010

"delegates vowed to send a strong message to the Government that the money should be paid." I hope the Police Federation realize that in these times their service is most essential. The criminal elements are just waiting for the opportunity of having the force against the govt. I don't hear the govt. saying the money should not be paid. If they strike or take industrial actions that will not hold well in terms of good will for the Jamaican people. Protect and serve in or out of season.

David Armstrong
9/2/2010

Want to know why the government does not pay its public servants? too much corruption and waste. The money that should be paying the people who perform essential services is used to set up people like Dudus and to pay law firms to squash his case. If an audit was performed to determine how much money goes to political cronies, dons, etc. in no bid contracts that amount would be staggering.

ladona smith
9/2/2010

I agree with Sergeant Wilson.A few days after the incursion the parliamentarians gathered to discuss the anti-crime bills and the security forces had to be there to protect them from the monsters they themselves(politicians) created. The police men and women are gunned down each year by the guns these politicians help to put on the streets. Stop calling for justice you civil servants, its a waste of time.Their priority is obvious.
P.S. -wake up and smell the IMF.

george watson
9/2/2010

If the govt. does not pay public servants the salaries they are due,no wonder they "ace" IMF tests as one of the JLPs cheerleaders noted recently.
I don't hear the PNP (and I hope I never will), taking advantage of the government's dilemma, like when the JLP egged on the nurses and others to take strike action under a PNP administration.
But of course the JLP is running a government, unlike the PNP who were running a fry fish shop and we are tio give them our full support even when they LIE.

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