Pay police more, says Opposition Leader

A case has been made for a salary increase for those in law enforcement.

Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley told the Lower House yesterday that with these individuals being placed in more dangerous situations due to the changing face of crime in the island, their current pay was just not enough.

“We need to pay the members of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) much more than they presently earn. The nature of their work has changed overtime. It is now far more dangerous and hazardous. The nature of crime has changed internationally, unless we think we are removed from it. It has also changed regionally and not too far from us, there has been the spectre of terrorism raising its ugly head. Barbados is not in today’s global world immunised from any of this, therefore we have to get on top of this,” he said.

He further suggested that an increase in pay would lead to higher numbers of persons enrolling in the force, which has been experiencing challenges in its recruitment drives in recent times.

“We are finding difficulties recruiting people to the RBPF. The Commissioner laments that they are hundreds short of where they ought to be. If we pay more, we are likely to see an improvement in recruitment prospects, not only of numbers but of quality persons presenting themselves to serve the RBPF,” he added, outlining that this should be done from the rank of Sergeant downwards.

Atherley admitted that while now was not the time due to the economic situation of the island, those who serve in the law enforcement should be the first to get a pay increase as the country recovered.

He also urged the government to relook at the Police Act, as several clauses had been areas of concern during the Barbados Labour Party’s time in opposition, and to make those necessary amendments. (JMB)