In an update to the Police Association story, we have now received the press release from the Ministry of National Security.
According to the release, the leaders of the Police Association have apologized to the Commissioner of Police, and the Minister of National Security for the manner in which they publicly ventilated those issues.
According to the Ministry, the Association has agreed to operate in line with the rules and in line with the Police Act. The Ministry goes on to say that the Commissioner of Police has decided to withdraw the charges, and he has expressed regret at the breakdown in communication.
There is also an undertaking in the works which will see the Police Act revised to enable the Association to quote, "function more effectively without surpassing the legal boundaries afforded to it by law privileges or power akin to those afforded to a Union." End quote.
The release ends by saying that the Association agrees that it cannot be allowed to act like a union, but models in the Caribbean are being looked at to be possibly adopted.
And while the Police Association dispute has been resolved, another issue is coming to the fore. An unsigned letter emailed to media houses, alleges that officers attached to the Belize City Patrol Branch are actually working in the Punishment Branch - and that's mainly because they are now working 12 hour shifts.
The letter complains that the scheduling of shifts are reportedly over-working and some officers because they are forced to work 6 and 7-day weeks.
The writer is especially annoyed because they have to wait until August 1 before any bump in pay is to be received. Today, the media also asked Minister Saldivar about this 12-hour shift and the burden it places on the officers.
He said that he understands their situation, but they must be patient until relief comes.
Marion Ali, reporter
"The police officers are saying that their allowances have been cut."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"Absolutely no truth to that."
Marion Ali, reporter
"Has there been any kinds of cut at all regarding the police officers?"
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"You are talking the regular police officers? Not that I am aware of. Those in Belize City have gotten a new allowance - a $100 allowance to patrol branch."
Marion Ali, reporter
"In terms of the 12hr shift, there have also been concerns about the 12hr shift. It seems that it is overbearing for them."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"I've ask the police officers to give us time for this to work out. We have had some mischief in terms of some officers not showing up on time for their shift and that sort of thing. Again instigated by people who want to have the department look bad but we are working through that and I know that with the recruit intake that we are doing now - when they come out in another three and a half months we should be able to ease some of the burdens, but I have ask police officers to bear with us, we understand what they are going through, we know that they are going through some long hours but its unavoidable at this time. I feel that the shift system if given an opportunity to work properly would be a good thing for the department."
7News was able to contact ACP Elodio Aragon, Officer Commanding the Easter Division, who told us that all officers follow a schedule for their shifts, and there are some officers who finish their schedule faster, but they are compensated for it.
He maintained that no officer is overworked, as is claimed in the letter.
