President of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Anand Ramesar says 400 police constables and corporals who have been awaiting promotions since 2008 are one step closer to their next rank. He said so after a meeting with the Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday. Ramesar, in an interview after the meeting at the PSC headquarters in Tunapuna, said he had been asked to attend a meeting to discuss several issues in the Police Service. He said the issue of promotion from constable to corporal and from corporal to sergeant was the main issue dealt with. Ramesar said the failure of the commissioner of police to promote staff had led to a decrease in morale within the service. “What we have is a paralysed system and we need to devise a mechanism to release it from that paralysis.”
He said his association got a solution from its membership and had taken it to the commission. He said the PSC had indicated to him that it would call an urgent meeting with the Commissioner of Police to discuss the matter and put forward suggestions. “I think they (PSC) would have understood what the association was complaining about and I think they really are empathising with the membership in terms of the emotional and work stress due to the failure to treat with these issues,” he said.
Ramesar said the other issue dealt with was the exploitation of Special Reserve officers within the Police Service. “That issue was about compensation...We have taken the issue to the commission and we will be taking it to the minister (National Security Minister Emmanuel George) also,” he said. “For too long you have Special Reserve Police officers who are working the same hours of regular police officers but are being hoodwinked out of getting a fair salary by being categorised as part-time officers. “They are working 12 hours that is being broken down as three four-hour periods and being paid for $100 for each period.” Ramesar said this was the worst case of exploitation in T&T and said it was unfortunate that it was taking place within the Police Service. He said after the meeting with the police commissioner, the PSC promised to get back to the association in order to chart a way forward.