KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 2, CMC – National Security Minister Peter Bunting has called on protesting rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), to return to work .
In Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, Bunting described the protest as unacceptable .
“It is important that the police federation return to negotiations immediately and call on members to resume normality .
Bunting told Parliament the Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, Horace Dalley, wrote to the Police Federation inviting them back to the bargaining table.
“We hope good judgment and good sense will prevail and that they will respond positively to that invitation”
The National Security Minister said action taken by some members of the force is unacceptable for persons who provide essential services and requests that the Federation resume the negotiations.
He also sought to reassure the public of the government’s security response while members of the Constabulary Force have taken industrial action.
“In the meantime I wish to assure the nation that contingency measures have been put in place to mitigate the impact of the protest action, including the increased used of JDF personnel in support of the police….”
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Dr. Carl Williams has urged police personnel to resist taking any action that would require them to compromise the sanctity of the oath that they have sworn.
In a circular sent to all Divisions on Tuesday, the Commissioner said he was aware of the difficult wage negotiations that the federation has engaged in.
“The High Command has pledged its full support to doing all it can to achieve improved compensation and working conditions for police personnel.”
He said there have been reports from several police stations that an unusually high number of persons have not reported for their scheduled duties.
The action by the police has affected proceedings at courts across the island.
The protest follows an ultimatum issued by the Police Federation that gave the Ministry of Finance until Monday to come up with a better wage offer.
The Police Commissioner who met with the executive of the Police Federation on Monday then urged the officers to call off the protests and allow the negotiations to proceed.
But the Federation said the members were in a militant mood and as a result, could not guarantee normality.
The government ended a five-year public sector wage freeze in March and the Police Federation has requested an increase of 100 per cent.