Ross Sheil, Staff ReporterTHE POLICE Federation claimed yesterday that the low salaries received by rank and file members makes them susceptible to corruption.
"If you can't properly provide (for yourself financially) and you are being offered (a bribe) then you are in a weaker position than if you were better remunerated," the Federation's General Secretary Corporal Hartley Morgan said in response to a question from journalists, probing possible links between police and criminals. "We are always careful in linking the issue of pay with corruption," he cautioned.
Recently Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, while addressing the Police Federation conference in Montego Bay several weeks ago, scolded the rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force as well as officers for being in bed with criminals an act which could cause the death of fellow cops.
"Can you imagine a police officer giving some men he knows in the underworld a box of 15 9mm rounds of ammunition?" said Commissioner Thomas.
"Do you know what those ammunition are used for? And the point that hurts is that when some of our members are killed, and we go deep down to ask the question, those same rounds that an officer gave to that criminal took that policeman's life," the Commissioner bemoaned.
Yesterday's press conference held at the Hilton Kingston Hotel was called by the Police Federation to update the public on the status of protracted salary negotiations with the Government. The Federation led by its chairman, Corporal Raymond Wilson, questioned the commitment of the Government to national security in light of protracted negotiations over pay and conditions.
With salaries, an average of $1,296 per day for a constable, Corporal Wilson said the police were unable to properly provide for themselves and their families. A one-off payment of $40,000 per officer has been made by Government during the process of negotiating the 24-point claim which was submitted in January 2004. But after 28 meetings with Government the Federation, said Corporal Wilson "is very uncomfortable with the pace of negotiations."
The Federation argued that a 'crisis' of overwork and poor pay threatens the quality of police service and leaves officers vulnerable to health problems, economic hardship and also corruption.
There have been recent arrests of police personnel on corruption charges. On Thursday Corporal Herbert Henry was given an extradition order at the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court along with five other men to face drug charges in the U.S.
Meanwhile, an investigation into a stolen car ring has led to several policemen being charged. Two constables from St. Ann, Dexton Grant and Damion Lewin were last month charged with breaching the Corruption Act for allegedly trying to extort money from a motorist who they reportedly accused of committing a traffic offence.
