Disgruntled at the outcome of wage negotiations with junior finance minister Fitz Jackson, the Police Federation will today hold an emergency all-island delegates meeting at the Jamaica Conference Centre to formulate a response.

The federation had said decisively two weeks ago that its members were prepared to take “positive and resolute” action if the ministry failed to make the police a good offer, comparable to the 45 per cent demand they have put before the Government.

The meeting today could define that action.

“The issue of salary and other benefits being negotiated for will be discussed,” head of the federation, Corporal Raymond Wilson, said.

Last week, the members of the federation emerged from a meeting in Jackson’s office expressing their pleasure at the positive nature of the talks, but the police negotiating team stormed out of the finance ministry on Wednesday after ministry officials said they had no offer to make.

“While no commitment was made to us, we left the meeting last week believing that we had at least reached a point where we could negotiate,” said Wilson. “Unfortunately, on Wednesday this was not so. Things took a different turn.”

The police have delivered a 24-point claim for wage and fringe benefit increases for 2003-2005. Despite the protestations of the federation, the Government did not respond to the police claim until last week.

Wilson also called on the public to support the police in their bid for better pay.

“We are calling upon the people of Jamaica to say that this is their police force and join us in our struggle,” Wilson said. “All we are asking for is decent work (conditions), proper remuneration and social security.”