THE JAMAICA Police Federation is moving to allay fears that its members could take protest action to express their disgust at the Government's handling of their wage dispute.

"We are not irresponsible people. We would not do anything to put the security of the nation at risk," Sergeant Raymond Wilson, chairman of the federation, told The Gleaner recently.

"The executive of the federation has not planned any protest and we have not heard that our members have anything planned. If there was any plan for protest action, we would address it," Wilson added.

He said while the federation understood the anger and frustration of its members, it remained committed to dialogue.

"We have passed the issue of the wage freeze. What we are now discussing are alternative arrangements and we don't have the impression that the door is closed," said Wilson.

"The federation went to the finance ministry with two issues, the tax on allowances and the freeze on the seven per cent increase. We received good news on the tax issue and will have to take that back to our members," he added.

Disappointed

The Police Federation was one of five groups which met with Government officials last Friday to seek clarity on the decision to tax some allowances and freeze wage increases.

Following the meeting, obviously upset leaders of the five groups emerged from the finance ministry expressing disappointment that there was no alternative arrangement for members of the force who, like other public sector workers, would not be granted the wage increase, which the Government had previously agreed to.

This led to reports of possible protest action by the police with claims that a sick-out was the most likely option.

Gov't not cowering

The reports prompted Prime Minister Bruce Golding to summon the commissioner of police and the chief of defence staff and to direct them to make arrangements for any eventuality.

"This Government is not going to be cowered, is not going to be yielding, and is not going to be genuflecting, simply because people believe they have a kind of power that can hold the country to ransom," Golding declared in direct reference to the possibility of protest action.

The prime minister also instructed the police commissioner to advise him of the steps to be taken if members of the force withdrew their service.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com