Cops remanded

TWO police constables who were arrested last week by members of the Office of Professional Responsibility, were remanded in custody when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The cops, constables Andrew Freeman and Christopher Burton, are charged with breaches of the Corruption Act, conspiracy and obtaining money by menace.

Police say the two are part of a gang who agreed to kill a businessman for $3 million. The policemen reportedly took half of the money before approaching the businessman and informed him of the plot to take his life.

Police say the constables told the businessman to pay them not to kill him.

The businessman then went to the police and made a report.

The two cops, who are stationed at the Hunts Bay Police Station, were held last Saturday while on duty.

Both will return to court on December 9.

Gov’t, senior cops sign new agreement

THE government and the Police Officer’s Association yesterday signed a new fringe benefits agreement at the finance ministry in Kingston.

Under the terms of the agreement, the officers will receive most of the provisions that are accorded to rank-and-file cops, represented by the Jamaica Police Federation and the Island Special Constabulary Force Association.

These include a one-off payment of $50,000 as was accorded the others, and an education component that allows children of officers that attend high school to benefit from a grant.