Police and Government could be within ten days of finalising a deal in their long-running pay and conditions dispute, has learned.

A back-dated pay rise has been the main sticking point in the talks, on-going since April, between the Bermuda Police Association (BPA) and the Public Safety Ministry.

But it is understood a tentative deal has now been struck between the two parties, with the BPA waiting for Cabinet approval of the deal before putting it to its members.

The provisional agreement is believed to be ready to go before Cabinet next Tuesday before Government and BPA sit down once again the following day to clarify the finer points before it is put to the Police members. The BPA is understood to be hopeful of being able to put a deal to members at the back end of next week.

Association secretary David Kinnersley refused to say what pay demands the association had made nor what the details were of the deal that has been tentatively struck but said the last increase was received by officers as long ago as 1999. When asked whether a need to increase staffing was one of the conditions on the table, Mr. Kinnersley would only say: ?It is clear from what Commissioner Jonathan Smith said earlier this week that the members and senior management are standing shoulder to shoulder on this issue.?

On Tuesday, Mr. Smith called for increased staffing in the wake of the recent escalation in gang violence on the Island.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Randolph Horton said yesterday: ?I am able to report pleasing progress. Negotiations are continuing and we are anticipating a resolution soon.?

Talks between the two parties broke down last month with the issue being referred to conciliation under the provisions of the Police Amendment Act. If agreement cannot be reached, the negotiating process will have to go into arbitration.