Michael Dunkley criticised Government for ignoring the advice of the Permanent Police Tribunal, calling the situation "absurd."

With Police now seeking their day in court, the UBP Senator said it would be the taxpayers who foot the bill.

"They have given the Government ample time to deal with this. I'm not surprised they have brought this to the courts," Mr. Dunkley said.

"The tax payers are going to have to pay the legal bills for this in the end. It's absurd."

The Bermuda Police Association issued a writ on August 9 complaining that Government has ignored an arbitration by the Permanent Police Tribunal in June of 2008 that said because Police pay more to the Public Service Superannuation Fund, they should be given higher wages as compensation, or have the age of retirement raised.

Currently, Police officers pay 4.5 percent more to the pension fund than other members of the civil service, but get the same benefits.

The reasoning for the separation has been that Police, unlike other civil servants, retire at 55 rather than 65.

Police are already bringing the Government to the Privy Council over the Government's refusal to implement a "combined allowance," another part of the controversial arbitration award.

Mr. Dunkley said that it was unreasonable for Government to take so long to remedy the situation.

"It was in June of 2008 they came forward with that ruling. Here we are two years later and the Government is still haggling with these things," he said.

"I don't know why they're trying to string this out for so long.

"Why haven't the Government simply abided by the ruling of the tribunal?"

He said with the increasing level of gang and gun crime on the Island, the Police should be given every level of support.

"When I read what was happening, I was appalled that we are in this position, especially when you look at what's going on in our community.

"To me it is very troubling. It is ludicrous that we have taken this approach."