By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
POLICE officers are feeling abused and abandoned for being forced to work 12-hour shifts without compensation, Police Staff Association (PSA) chairman Dwight Smith told The Tribune yesterday.
His comments come days after he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Perry Christie requesting a meeting to discuss compensation for officers who were put on a 12-hour shift in early September in an attempt to get crime under control.
While speaking to The Tribune as he walked on Bay Street, Mr Smith was interrupted by the wife of a police officer who said: “You need to take the officers off the 12-hour shifts.”
“I’m doing all that I can. Be strong, we trying,” he replied.
But moments later another woman, a police officer, interrupted him and said “we tired.”
“I know y’all tired, we ga fix that,” he replied.
“I’m out on the streets,” he remarked, “and I’m constantly being met by spouses and police officers telling me I need to take the officers off this 12-hour shift.”
Mr Smith said officers deserve to be “treated like human beings.”
He added that he will comply with labour regulations and give the Ministry of Finance two weeks to outline what compensation the government will give officers.
On Monday, Assistant Police Commissioner Leon Bethel told the press police officers are “not tired.”
Mr Smith, however, said that not only are officers tired, but their morale is low because they are putting in work for which they are receiving nothing in return.
“What incentive has the government put in place for police officers to encourage them to work?” he asked. “I’m very insulted by this. The only thing that motivates a police officer is pay or promotion. Our pay is already low and no promotions have been given recently and yet here they are working extra hours.”
Mr Smith also threatened to take legal action against the government if it does not provide compensation to the police. “They are undermining the Association,” he said. “They have a legal obligation to meet with us. The only thing I could do is take the government to court. Everyday we have been meeting with lawyers on this issue and I have the support of way more than the majority that I need and the Association has over 2,000 members, the majority of whom are here in New Providence.”
“If we have to take them to court, we’ll do it,” he vowed.
Comments
John 11 years, 2 months ago
Did the police get into this 12- hour extended shift without a strategic plan to combat crime or without an exit plan? With an increase in numbers, a plan should have been in place to get more persons with criminal charges and cases pending before the courts and off the streets, in addition to flushing out and capturing persons wanted by the police, for major crime offences. This should have been done in conjunction with the courts. Then the force could wean itself off the 12- hour 'call to duty', by allowing officers to rotate between 8 hour and 12 hour work-weeks. As crime continues fall, then all, if not most, officers would be able to go back to regular working hours, the police band and fire branch back to their regular duties and the defense officers back to their regular detail. Under the current plan, more persons are arrested and charged, but with the exception of those that are shot and killed, the number of active criminals out on the streets remain the same.
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 2 months ago
Plan? What's that?
JohnDoe 11 years, 2 months ago
A good insight because all concerned must know that a 12 hour shift is not only unsustainable, but its perceived effectiveness will undoubtedly diminish over time. In other words this should only be a bridge or short term fix. The 12 hour shift suggests that there is a manpower shortage issue with respect to the RBPF, however, I suspect that even the police Commissioner would admit that manpower shortages is but one of a number of major issues facing those responsible for law and order.
lazybor 11 years, 2 months ago
definitely to much
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larry 11 years, 2 months ago
i also feel the judicial system should have been placed on 12hours shift along with immigration and customs official to deal with illegal immigrants and persons who bring illegal guns through our ports using cargo to smuggle them in and pay all over time
TalRussell 11 years, 2 months ago
Feeling abused?"
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 2 months ago
Yes it sounds odd unless you're in the situation, but when you work for an employer and the employer cares more about results than they seem to care about you, you get that "abused" feeling. Some may characterize as "misused". Read any good book on leadership.
TalRussell 11 years, 2 months ago
Careful now, how you use "feel abused" and da policeman's in the same sentence. Ain't no one been knocking them upside they's heads. Now, that would really be knowing what's it is really like to be feeling "abused?"
UserOne 11 years, 2 months ago
Anyone working 12 hour shifts is going to be tired. I get concerned when we have a tired police force. Not a good plan at all.
John 11 years, 2 months ago
Its only been about two months since the 12 hour shifts started. so the fatigue factor should not set in yet, unless we have a really tired and out-of-shape police force. They are military men and women and should be able to go at least six months if necessary. Maybe their biggest concern is how are they going to be COMPENSATED for the extra hours. Maybe that's what have them feeling abused and abandoned. Nevertheless it may be time to put selected officers back on regular duty so that when the holidays come there would be sufficient manpower to do the extra duties that are required and also to keep patrolling at a heightened level. And for the past few years increased crime spilled over into January and criminals. knew police were on heightened alert in December so the waited until January to pull one off.
larry 11 years, 2 months ago
it seems that there are a whole lot of desk warriors who sit behind their desk and watch a scripted law and order where in an hour the problems of the world are solved by six actors take the time out and read America with all the best of the best has five of the most crime ridden cities in the world read. God rested on the seventh day who is man
John 11 years, 2 months ago
God may have rested on the seventh day, but Christ also said :if your ass (not you) fell in a well on the Sabbath not to leave him there until the Sabbath has passed but to rescue him right away. Meaning that if this country has fallen into a crime crises that requires police to work beyond their regular hours, then what is needful is lawful.
larry 11 years, 2 months ago
well the criminals are resting now all they have to do is wait those in jail are well rested only a matter of time before some of them come out on bail do the the math well rested criminals vs the tired police force the donkey did not have ak47's Christmas around the corner
John 11 years, 2 months ago
Do you know that in Mexico and some parts of South America they have to lock civilians in jail for their own safety? These persons joined a gang that originated in those countries when the US decided to deport gang members from LA. Persons joined this gang not knowing how deadly it was or not understanding that once you joined in you could not sign out alive. Now many persons who want to leave the gang have to be locked in jail for their own safety. Those who decide to leave are usually found within 24 hours decapitated or riddled with bullets. The point is this is spiritual warfare. Unless God watches over the city, the policemen watch in vain.
djohnson 11 years, 2 months ago
All persons should be treated fairly I agree and this is where equality plays it's role in humanity but it should be look at differently especially when you have sworn in an oath to abide by all the rules & regulations given by Government into being an officer. That rule should be in reference to protecting and making it safer for citizens as well as non citizens which is sacrifices being made by the individual.If am correct am sure all persons who are or have applied has been given a brief summary on the what is a officer's duty.They know that means less time with love ones. It's sad and I know how their family feels but we have to choose wisely when were searching for a profession/career. I give all of my support to all the hard earn working polices out there.Well done!
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 2 months ago
But is this a good strategy? How much longer will the shifts last? Until the entire police force is bone tired? Are the criminals just laying low? I'm sure they're smart enough to know that even though the heat is on now, they can't keep it going forever. It appears that the majority of our murders are committed by persons out on bail or persons known to the police...get better investigators, get more and better training for police on handling evidence, hire better prosecutors. Maybe the prosecutors should be working extra hours to try cases, maybe our elected officials should be working extra hours on a plan to build a new prison that will not turn out even worse criminals and will rehabilitate the ones that aren't too far gone. No country that I know of maintains a state of heightened alert indefinitely, it cannot be sustained. Get better prosecutors
My5Cents 11 years, 2 months ago
Money give them plenty rest. They probly just tired of work FOR FREE..the extra 20 hours they aint getting pay til next election
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