time since 1997.

Four hundred officers have been working without an updated pay contract for the last 16 months.

But now they will be offered a 2.98 percent salary increase, finally bringing them in line with other public sector workers.

Their new backdated pay deal will also include a range of other benefits for shift work and overtime.

Several officers were understood to be growing restless that no new contract had been worked out for them since September 30, 1997.

That was when the Police -- all ranked between Constable and Chief Inspector -- were given a 2.1 percent "cost of living adjustment'' on a temporary basis.

But Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox told The Royal Gazette last night that she had finally been presented with an independent report outlining new recommendations on Police pay.

It will be discussed by Cabinet and then voted on by the Police Association at their Annual General Meeting on February 4.

Ms Cox said: "I met with the Police Association Chairman today and the matter is in hand.

"I would expect that within the next couple of weeks, there should be some resolution.

"I can confirm that the report has now been passed to me and it will soon be presented to Cabinet.'' The report, commissioned by former Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, was finally handed in on January 6.

Red tape and top-level meetings between Police Association representatives and Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay are understood to have delayed the process.

They agreed new grievance procedures, shift arrangements and the administration of personnel files.

But the report outlines a range of benefits plus salary increases for constables, who start on $36,000, sergeants, on $47,000, inspectors, on $57,000, and chief inspectors, on $63,000.

Permanent Police Tribunal Chairman Louis Mowbray, who compiled the report, said: "This process really started early last year when we were commissioned to write the report.''