KINGSTON, Jamaica – In light of the recent surge in violent crimes, including the tragic occurrence of 70 murders in the past two weeks, the Opposition is calling for the Government and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to honour the court’s order to pay overtime – for April through June – to police officers in this month’s salary.

The position of the Opposition was made known in a statement on Sunday.

The Opposition further warned that failure to do so risks demoralising the police force, which is essential to ensuring the safety and security of the nation.

In a recent statement, Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Corporal Rohan James, expressed disappointment in the Police High Command’s failure to facilitate overtime payments for rank-and-file police personnel, despite the government’s approval of a system to calculate and disburse these payments. “Such actions undermine the morale and motivation of our hardworking officers who tirelessly serve to protect our communities,” he said.

“I sympathise with Corporal James’ concerns and fully support the Jamaica Police Federation in their demand for the implementation of the court-ordered mechanism to capture and compensate [for] overtime hours for JCF members. The court ruling in June last year clearly stated that the government should establish such a system by March 31, 2023. It is disheartening that the rank-and-file police personnel still await their rightful compensation.” said Bunting, Shadow Minister of National Security.

“A demoralised police force cannot effectively combat the rising crime rates we currently face. Our officers deserve fair remuneration for their dedication and sacrifices in safeguarding our communities. The court’s decision must be respected and promptly executed to prevent further discontent and preserve the morale of our police force,” the statement said.

“I urgently call upon the government and the JCF to prioritise this matter. It is essential that the Ministry of National Security takes immediate action to ensure the installation and completion of the Workforce Management Solution System, which will accurately calculate overtime payments for our hardworking police officers. This is not only a matter of fulfilling a legal obligation but also a crucial step in maintaining an efficient and motivated police force,” Bunting added.”