Status of police officers under PSML unclear

(CNS): Police officers are not considered to be civil servants under the Public Service Management Law but the law continues to be cited and used when addressing issues such as salary and other HR Matters, the Cayman Islands Police Association noted in a release following its Annual General Meeting in December. The Association said it also finds it “puzzling” that, although police officers are considered civil servants in some instances, they are not afforded the same or similar privileges as their colleagues in the wider civil service as provided under this law. Chairman Rudolph Gordon said the membership feels disenfranchised as “civil servants” and many of the labour issues facing his membership go unresolved.

This is due in part to the absence of legislation to deal with other human resources issues other than discipline offences mentioned in the Police Law. However, the release said, it has been the chairman’s understanding from the Civil Service Portfolio responsible for the police that similar rights will be forthcoming in the new Police Regulation. The association said he was pleased the relevant changes would be accommodated in the new Police Regulation and welcomed the provisions when implemented.

Due to the confusion surrounding the PSML, the association has mandated to properly represent its membership, and as such the Joint Branch Board has supported an independent review of the Public Service Management Law (2010) to address the rights and privileges of police officers within the Cayman Islands.

At the AGM, held on Wednesday 15 December 2010 in George Town, the committee members were re-elected with one position changing hands. The new committee was duly formed on the 6 January and the representatives are as follows: Rudolph Gordon – Chairman, Winsome Prendergast – Chairman Legal Affairs & Branch Board A, Betty Ann Ebanks – Secretary, Joint Branch Board, Damion Thomas – Treasurer, Malcolm Kay – Chairman Branch Board B, Richard Scott – Committee Representative, Mark Green – Committee Representative

In early 2010 the Police Association brought a range of issues affecting officers to the commissioner and three have been addressed: the amendment to the demarcation of salary points for sergeants; local officers returning to the service receiving two-year contract creating a level playing field in this area; the association is represented at the RCIPS Strategic Management and Resource meeting chaired by the commissioner or his designate.

The association said it was delighted that the continuing dialogue with the commissioner had resulted in some very positive results for officers in the RCIPS. The chairman, Inspector Rudolph Gordon, stated that he looked forward to working with David Baines and his senior management team in the coming months in relation to other issues, such as training and development, succession planning and promotion board/exams policy.

The association said it was aware that some of the concerns raised by its members in 2010 do not fall directly under the remit of the commissioner of police. These concerns include issues such as compensation for higher education and pensions.

The newly elected committee iscommitted to working with the commissioner and the government in finding solutions to the many complex issues facing police officers and the RCIPS as a whole, the release stated.

At the AGM, Sergeant Wendy Parchment, Constable Christopher Samuels, Cyril Gordon and Daniel Cowan were all presented with gifts as recognition for their dedication and commitment to duty. DC Richard Clarke was also recognized at a separate function for his contribution to the Police Association as a past representative.