OPPOSITION Spokesman on National Security Derrick Smith has suggested that the police force be treated as a special case, unrestricted by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on public sector salaries.

Smith told the House of Representatives Tuesday that, as part of its plans to give national security priority in government, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) would ensure that the issue of police emoluments is treated specially and outside the limitations of sector-wide agreements like the MoU.

“We believe that the police should be treated as a special case in terms of negotiating their pay and fringe benefits. They should not be subjected to the Memorandum of Understanding, or any similar agreement with public sector workers, and that will be our policy,” Smith said.

“The police has to be motivated if we are to win the battle against criminals and, to motivate people, you first need to take care of their basic needs,” he added.

He also urged the government to commence negotiations with the police immediately, and to seek to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

Smith’s comments came against the background of a breakdown between the government and the Police Federation over their 40-point claim for improvements in pay and fringe benefits for the police.