Police staged sickouts at several stations on island Saturday, protesting poor working & living conditions

Photo: Dominica News Online

​Police reportedly staged sickouts at several police stations on island Saturday, in protest over living conditions. Marigot and Portsmouth were the first stations to be identified. A source indicated that the actions are a just a beginning. It is anticipated that more police officers might take similar action in solidarity.
 
Meanwhile, an executive member of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) has confirmed that police officers in all out stations on the island operated on skeleton staff on Saturday. This action is said to be as a result of unattended complaints of poor working and living conditions.
 
Police officers at the Portsmouth Station had made such complaints in the recent past, and the working conditions at the Marigot Police Station are described as deplorable.
 
Some time ago, National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore said monies were set aside for the rehabilitation of the Portsmouth Police Station, but apparently, no remedial action has taken place to date.
 
Meanwhile, the Police Welfare Association (PWA) and the Government’s negotiating team are unable to reach any satisfactory agreement on salary negotiations, for the next triennium.
 
Q95 news will stay on top of this developing story, and will bring you more information as it becomes available.