Government is seeking a judicial review of the long-awaited pay award to the Bermuda Police Association.

The Police and Ministers were at a standoff last night, with the BPA calling the decision "disappointing" and calling for an emergency meeting later today.

BPA members have not had a pay rise for almost three years, and the rejection of the Permanent Police Tribunal's binding arbitration award is likely to put the relationship between Police and Government under further strain.

In a statement last night, the Bermuda Police Association said: "The members of the BPA have been without contract or any pay rise since September 30, 2005.

"We commenced negotiations with Government in February 2007. These negotiations broke down and we went through a period of conciliated negotiations with a Labour Relations Officer and Government between May and November 2007.

"These negotiations again broke down and the matter was referred to the Permanent Police Tribunal for binding arbitration.

"The arbitration hearings were held in 2008 and the Tribunal's legislatively binding award was delivered on June 19.

"Shortly after 10 a.m. this morning, the Government informed the BPA of their intention to seek a judicial review of the entire binding arbitration award issued by the Permanent Police Tribunal.

"The BPA have historically honoured all arbitration awards and wish to publically support and thank the current Permanent Police Tribunal for their patience, considerable efforts, and courage in reaching this binding award.

"You will appreciate that the BPA is not in a position to make any further formal announcements regarding this disappointing decision until further consultation with our members and legal advisor."

The process for reaching agreement with Government over pay and conditions is set out in the Police Act 1974.

The arbitration award was set at a pay increase of 4.5 percent for the first year of the contractual period and four percent for the second.

The Permanent Police Tribunal also awarded a pay increase of 4.25 percent for the first year of the current contractual period of 2007-9.

Government had offered a 4.5 percent increase for 2005-6 and four percent for 2006-7, but the BPA requested increases of seven percent for both periods.

Other issues under arbitration included pensions, legal expenses, Combined Allowance, Housing Subsidy, Community Policing, poor physical plant, and Bermudians in the higher ranks of the Force.

The BPA executive has called an emergency meeting for its members at 4 p.m. at the Police Gymnasium.