The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. PLEASE publish for the information of all members of the Police Staff Association and the public. In the late fifties and early sixties, police officers frequently travelled to the UK for advanced training. We met with our counterparts from other Commonwealth countries. Apart from policing ideas, we learned a lot about conditions of service in the police forces of those commonwealth countries. There were the police associations existing in all of these countries, including the many forces in the UK. We did not have an association here to lobby for better working conditions. Working conditions in our force was deplorable, eg long hours, without pay, poor living conditions, vacation days being spent at the courts, insufficient plain clothes allowance, inadequate death and funeral benefits even for officers who died in the execution of duty and no insurance benefits. Victimisation by certain senior officers and commissioners in the promotion exercise. One would hear a commissioner blatantly state that a certain officer will not be promoted as long as he is commissioner. In the early seventies, I began my lobbying for our police association. I wrote articles about such associations, distributed literature from existing associations and solicited support from my colleagues. Many officers who supported the idea changed when they reached the gazetted ranks, where they obviously wanted the status quo to remain the same. I can recall the visit of the Inspector General of Police Forces from the UK, who was here to conduct an inspection of the force and to arrange for training courses in the UK. At a meeting with all the senior officers, I asked about police associations. The inspector general spoke in glowing terms about the accomplishments of such associations in the forces of the commonwealth. He asked about our association and when told it did not exist here, he encouraged the formation, and gave examples of what such associations have been able to accomplish. Apart from the British Commonwealth, such associations exist in the USA and many other countries. The associations work towards providing; (a) better working conditions for officers; (b) supporting the efforts of the force to serve the public efficiently and effectively; (c) ensuring that force discipline is maintained by its members and (d) providing the commissioner and the force with ideas emanating from the members on combating crime. As a matter of fact, the associations in most countries consist of two divisions, namely; first division for officers of and above the ranks of Assistant Superintendent and includes the Commissioner. Second Division from the rank of constable to Chief Inspector. The associations seek to protect the commissioners and senior officers from any political victimisation (under the provisions of the new Police Act, the commissioner's tenure is in jeopardy from politicians). It is most important to state herein, that police associations are not trade unions and must not engage or employ union tactics, that would be disruptive to the force and betray public trust. (Marching on Labour Day must not be considered). It took two decades of lobbying, from the seventies to the nineties to get government's approval for a Police Staff Association. Only the second division association was approved. Officers of the first division remains unprotected. Prior to the nineties, no government approval was forthcoming. In the mid-nineties, the government approved and presented a constitution, which has remained in place for guidance. There is no need for confrontation. It is expected that executives of the body would make demands, with respect and decorum, with peaceful negotiations. It is clear in the constitution, that failure to settle important issues can be taken to court, if necessary for adjudication. Members of the association must never be engaged with politicians and should not consider using attorneys, who are politicians. Members must always endeavour the impartiality demanded by the office. Congratulations to all of my former colleagues for your performance at this time. In the coming months, there will be a great demand for your discipline, and knowledge. Remember to keep in mind the Oath of Office. PAUL THOMPSON Sr Nassau, January 27, 2012.