Minister of Public Safety and Housing David Burch has hit back at allegations that Government has treated Police officers contemptuously over stalled pay negotiations.

Confirming salary talks relating to the 2005-2007 Police contract are likely to go to arbitration, Sen. Burch said: “The Ministry reiterates that it holds all of its Police Officers in the highest esteem, and their welfare is considered a priority of this Ministry. As such it will work with all parties involved to ensure that an amicable resolution is reached that will benefit all concerned.”

According to Friday’s edition of the Mid-Ocean News, the Police Association held an emergency meeting last week over stalled salary negotiations and delays on a new station for Hamilton to replace the condemned building on Parliament Street.

The newspaper said it understood the officers are requesting a rise of around two percent above that on offer.

It reported association chairman Carl Neblett as saying the Police cannot take industrial action because of their essential role in society. He was further quoted as saying: “We are a special group of people who are regarded as an essential service, yet it’s amazing that when it comes to pay negotiations we can be treated in this way.”

On Sunday night, Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley said: “I want to express the Opposition’s growing alarm over the contemptuous way the Government has been treating these men and women. And I want to warn the PLP that if they don’t start taking their responsibilities to properly manage the Police seriously, then this country could find itself in hot water.”

Dismissing these remarks yesterday, Sen. Burch said: “The Opposition is clearly not in possession of the full facts of this situation, and the Ministry of Public Safety and Housing will not be drawn into a debate on an issue that the Opposition is clearly trying to use to score political points.”