The Tribune

By DANA SMITH dsmith@tribunemedia.net TOP officials at the Royal Bahamas Police Staff Association confirmed yesterday that government-promised pay increments have been received by police staff. Dwight Smith, executive chairman of the Police Staff Association, said: "All the increments were restored and persons have received it." Earlier this year, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced civil servants at the maximum of their pay scales will receive a one-time lump-sum payment, equivalent to one increment. In addition, two more increments will be added to every pay scale in the public service and every public officer will be entitled to an increment in pay during the next fiscal year, and a further increment during the subsequent year. "There are 500 persons within the police force," Mr Smith said. "I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, at the pay date of this month, those persons received the amount of monies that was allotted for them." Mr Smith thanked the government for keeping their word and ensuring that "much of our officers have a good Christmas". According to Mr Smith, around 500 police officers and staff received between $400 and $700 in increments, depending the length of service. On the table to be discussed in future are salary, a new medical plan, and a new pension plan.