Government has finally reached an agreement with Police officers in the long-running dispute over pay and conditions, it was announced yesterday.

But understands the deal is still in the balance as it still has to be ratified by members of the Bermuda Police Association (BAP), and many are unhappy with the package.

If the deal is rejected, then the Police Permanent Tribunal will have to be called in to arbitrate in the dispute.

No details of the deal were unveiled yesterday, but it does cover the period from 2001 to 2005.

The main sticking point in negotiations has been a backdated pay rise. So far the labour relations office has been called in unsuccessfully to try to resolve the dispute.

BPA secretary David Kinnersley admitted yesterday he was not sure if his almost 400 members would approve the deal when it is out to a meeting next week.

?I can?t go into the details on the deal because that?s to go to the members next week at an AGM,? P.c. Kinnersley told

?But I can confirm that we?ve reached an agreement and we will have to put it to the members.?

When asked if he thought the members would approve the deal, he said: ?I don?t know what the members will say because some I have spoken to are unhappy no matter what and some are happy. So we?ll just have to see on the night.?

Mr. Horton told MPs in the House of Assembly yesterday: ?The negotiation process was not an easy one.

?It was slow, but certain, characterised by dogged determination by both sides, yet always by mutual respect.

?Twice extended in accordance with provisions in the Police Amendment Act when it was mutually agreed that a settlement would be reached, the negotiations process has happily concluded with the concurrence of the Government and BPA teams.?

He said Government was aware of the poor state of Police buildings, particularly Hamilton Police station ? and he said work on the new building and Magistrates complex would begin next year and into 2005.

And the new Police station at Southside is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of next year and the tendering process will begin soon.

And he paid tribute to the way officers had conducted themselves in the face of growing violence, particularly from gangs.

He added: ?I would like to take the opportunity thank and salute the men and women of Bermuda Police Service for their continued fine service, oftentimes in face of considerable adversity.?

The union and police Commissioner Jonathan Smith have been concerned about staffing levels, and Mr. Smith has recently called for more officers to tackle the rising tide of gang violence.

Mr. Smith, who was part of the negotiations, said of the breakthrough yesterday: ?It is encouraging news to know there has been progress in the negotiations.?