Police Assoc head praises CoP for accepting $40k

UPDATE:

PRESIDENT of the Police Social and Welfare Association Insp Michael Seales yesterday commended the move by new Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith to propose a salary of $40,000.

Seales yesterday said “It is interesting that Griffith would have taken a position that he has to consider the compensation of policemen and policewomen in relation to his own compensation. Additionally, we find it noble that he has linked his compensation that it should not be more than a ministerial appointment, so the association lauds that.”

Seales said the association is also seeing in this proposal by Griffith that compensation for the new commissioner must take into consideration two factors, “one being that you have to compensate him in such a way because it is a contractual arrangement and he will not enjoy the right of a pension, and that factor is a saleable right which can be used to enhance his compensation; and the other part is that because a gratuitous payment will be made on conclusion of the contract, that it should be taken into account, because it is a percentage of basic compensation, and for that the association is saying that critical consideration must be made to ensure that those figures will enhance his compensation.”

Seales advised Griffith, however, “to go for the highest amount so that every single policeman or woman can benefit in the future.”
But secretary of the association acting ASP Anand Ramesar had a slightly different opinion.
He said “In my view $40,000 does not represent a fair compensation for the duties and responsibilities associated with the office of a commissioner of police. The paradigm has shifted many years ago and the qualifications and experience needed to competently perform can be compared to a CEO in large organisations.

“Notwithstanding, the proposal remains within the stated position of Mr Griffith that he is not in there for money, and that remains a noble position.”
Yesterday former minister of national security Jack Warner also heaped praise on Griffith for considering the economic climate and not asking for an exorbitant salary.

“If the salary he is asking for is $40,000 a month, it is extremely reasonable. But I believe he is worth much more. However, he may have considered the economic situation in the country and that might have guided his judgement.
“I know he does not need the money, and like me, when I was Minister of National Security I worked for $1 a month, and worked extremely hard, so I would expect the same from him.”
Warner stressed, however, that Griffith should occupy the official commissioner’s residence in St James.
“I would also expect that he will move into the house for the Commissioner of Police and give the office of commissioner the respect it deserves.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Insp Michael Seales yesterday commended the move by new Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith to propose a salary of $40,000.

Seales yesterday said “It is interesting that Griffith would have taken a position that he has to consider the compensation of policemen and police women in relation to his own compensation. Additionally, we find it noble that he has linked his compensation that it should not be more than a ministerial appointment, so the association lauds that”.

According to Seales what the association is also seeing by this proposal by Griffith is that compensation for the new commissioner must take into consideration two factors. “One being that you have to compensate him in such a way because it is a contractual arrangement and he will not enjoy the right of a pension, and that factor is a saleable right which can be used to enhance his compensation and the other part is that because a gratuitous payment will be made on conclusion of the contract that it should be taken into account because it is a percentage of basic compensation and for that the association is saying that critical consideration must be made to ensure that those figures will enhance his compensation”.

Seales however advised Griffith “to go for the highest amount so that every single policeman or woman can benefit in the future”.