By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE government has been accused of launching a “direct attack” on the police over the issue of compensation for officers working 12 hour shifts.

Police Staff Association (PSA) chairman Dwight Smith was responding to comments by government officials, including Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell, who said last week that the PSA “has always been a tool of the Free National Movement.”

Yesterday FNM chairman Darron Cash also supported the PSA, saying that Prime Minister Perry Christie and National Security Minister Bernard Nottage have been “disappointing” with their handling of the issue.

Mr Cash, who said he was reiterating the views previously expressed by FNM MP Richard Lightbourne, said: “I wish to express my overall support for the police and say that they ought to be compensated if this 12-hour shift goes on for an inordinately long time. Until now, we have given the Minister and Commissioner broad latitude to arrive at an agreeable resolution with the officers. They have to decide whether the PSA speaks on behalf of the officers or not.

“If they accept that they do then they ought to accept the suggestion that the desire for compensation is reasonable. What has been regrettable is that they have denied that the Association speaks on behalf of the officers or they have suggested that in speaking on behalf of the officers, the PSA is going against the dedication officers have to their country.

“Our stance,” Mr Cash continued, “is that officers needing compensation does not diminish their dedication or commitment to the overall cause of fighting crime in the country. What’s disappointing is that the Minister of National Security and the Prime Minister didn’t think to address this issue a long time ago. It does not look good, especially considering the already challenged relationship between police and the administration.”

For his part, Mr Smith said he didn’t know why Mr Bell was trying to politicize the plea for compensation. “It’s throwing us off the issue of compensation. We are not an FNM tool or a PLP tool,” he said.

Mr Smith also responded to Mr Bell’s comments that police officers are not complaining about working 12 hours without compensation. He said: “I think he should call a general meeting of police officers and see what happens. They don’t even need to sit with the Association. They could sit with members of the police force.

“My problem,” Mr Smith added, “is when the community cries out, they call a forum. When other people cry out, they meet with them. But when the police cry out all of a sudden we become rude and should shut up.

“This is just a direct attack on the Police Association and the police. We don’t feel like we are a part of this country because we can’t say anything without people getting personal with us and feeling like we are not to speak. Are we really in a free society? If the police is speaking out, why make accusations against them and not do it to other unions or organisations in the country? We haven’t been marching. We’ve been going through the proper process. We’ve gone to the Commissioner, to the Minister. What we want to know now is, are we a part of the labour force or not?”

Mr Smith also noted that he maintains a great relationship with Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade and that he despises attempts to put a wedge between them. He called the 12-hour shift a “government initiative,” not a “commissioner initiative.”

He added: “I feel the 12-hour shift ought to be properly structured so there could be sufficient break in between where officers can rejuvenate themselves. Furthermore, if you are going to force them to work for 48 hours, then just like any other individual, they should be compensated for it.”

As for Mr Bell’s threat last week to amend the Police Staff Association Act, Mr Smith said: “I don’t know what precedent that would set. We just had a CCL (Caribbean Congress of Labour) meeting last week talking about strengthening unions. During the meeting the Minister (of Labour and National Insurance) said his government is labour friendly. Yet look at this.”

FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis could not understand why Keith Bell wants to “politicise” the issue of the Police Staff Association’s request for greater compensation for officers.

Dr Minnis took exception to Mr Bell’s accusation that the Police Association is “a tool” of the FNM. “Keith Bell is obviously out of his depth,” Dr Minnis commented.

“Police are professional and intelligent individuals beholden to no one,” he said.

“They are only concerned with justice, the safety of our society and fair play. They’re speaking out for what they think is fair and right, as is their democratic right.

“Is he saying that them speaking out for their rights makes them a tool for the FNM?” the opposition leader asked, adding that their request was just an illustration of democracy.

“If Mr Bell were to go in the various communities, he would see that many Bahamians, not just FNM’s, are not pleased because of the government’s mismanagement of the country and for the promises made to them that have not been delivered.”

“If democracy means being called a tool for speaking out, then that’s a very good thing. I encourage all individuals who feel victimised, marginalised or disfranchised to speak out!”

He added that they will be supported by his party because “the FNM supports democracy.”