Police uniform shortage

UniformED police officers yesterday complained bitterly about a shortage of uniforms and police kits at the police stores based on Wrightson Road. Angry officers told Newsday they have been told that the kits are not available, prompting those affected to turn up for duty in plain clothes. The disgruntled officers told Newsday they are not entitled to plain clothes allowance as those officers in the Criminal Investigations Department, and it was seriously taking a toll on their available income. Contacted yesterday, Police Commissioner Trevor Paul, who resumed duties after attending a conference in England, said he did not wish to discuss the matter.

Newsday also learnt that at several police stations, there was a shortage of traffic registers, which are mandatory for reporting all accidents. Police officers are forced to make notes on accidents on scraps of paper and in the station diary. A senior officer who preferred not to be quoted confirmed the shortage of traffic registers, but said he had contacted the Government Printery and the registers should be made available early next week. Coupled with that, paper and stationery are also in short supply at the police stores, which recently underwent an audit to determine how many items are missing from the stores.

At the Police Administration Building, officers complained that they have been working in extreme heat because of the non-functioning air conditioning unit. The only floor which has not been affected is the third floor which houses the Finance Section. Police officers told Newsday yesterday they are uncomfortable, stressed and disenchanted with the current conditions, especially because of the unbearable heat. They added that civilian staff were being sent home at midday while they continue to work their normal hours. “We are fed up and could stage a walkout soon if the situation is not rectified,” said police officers based at the administration building.

At the Central Police Station, which is based at the refurbished Police Headquarters, officers have placed tables and chairs to cover a gaping hole in the middle of the charge room. According to officers, when the building was being refurbished, the flooring was never replaced, and plastic tiles were placed over the flooring. The middle of the flooring collapsed recently, and officers said they were no longer prepared to work there. Yesterday, acting Snr Supt Errol Denoon said that the Planning and Development Section in the Police Service contacted engineers at the Ministry of Works, and the flooring will be replaced shortly with concrete.