Govt owes police millions in overtime

For the past five months, no overtime payments have been released although approval was signed by Deputy Police Commissioner Oswyn Allard.

The sheets with the overtime information are at the police finance branch with no word from officers on when the payments will be released.

Disgruntled police officers told Newsday that they were hoping to get the money owed to them in time for Divali and Eid, but they are continuing to wait and hope. They added that the delay in paying overtime is a normal thing, and they feel that the time has come to rectify the problem.

Police officers said they are being called out to give 100 percent to the public, but morale is at an all time low because of the failure to pay overtime money and a manpower shortage in the Police Service. Uniformed officers have complained that CID officers receive commuted allowances in their salaries every month, so they do not have an issue. Officers of the Special Anti-crime Unit (SAUTT) receive an extra $5,000 in their salaries every month.

"It is the uniformed officers who are feeling the pinch, and it seems that no one, not even the commissioner, is interested in settling this issue once and for all," said an affected officer yesterday.

Secretary of the Police Second Division, Sgt Noel Chase, yesterday said the issue is being addressed, but he is also concerned over the delay in paying the overtime owed to officers.

He said he feels that the time has come for the entire system involving the payment of overtime to be revisited and a new effective and efficient system put in place.

Chase added that it will assist in restoring morale among officers and at the same time bring financial relief to many.

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul was unavailable for comment yesterday.