CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Oral Martin has proposed an annual paid vacation and housing programme, among other benefits, for members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
The proposal, which was among several others outlined by Martin as a means of attracting more persons to the profession, was made during his feature address at the Nevis Division Police Constables Appreciation Awards Ceremony at the Old Manor Hotel on Saturday, March 7.
Martin said currently police officers receive their salaries when going on vacation, but what he is proposing would go a step further and see the Force paying for tickets and accommodation for the officer and his family. He said however, that vacation spots could be limited to destinations within the region. He pointed out that this would include Florida in the North and Suriname and Venezuela in the south. According to Martin, police officers are deserving of such treatment, given the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.
Martin’s other proposals, most of which were met with appreciative applause from the audience, include a housing programme, a study programme, a pension and gratuity scheme, and health and life insurance.
The lawyer said the housing programme could include such terms as discount on the cost of a house, a more favorable bank interest rate than the usual, and even a housing allowance towards repaying the loan.
According to Martin, there are government- run housing and land development agencies that could be used to execute such a programme.
“Police have their own aspirations and ambitions and it is perhaps time that we consider that.”
If Martin’s proposals are implemented, officers would also have access to a scholarship programme that would allow them to pursue studies ranging from basic certificate in technical skills “right up to degree levels for those who qualify”.
He explained that this would help them not only to pursue personal training but also to have extra skills for use in the force; skills which would also serve them when they would have left the institution.
Martin’s vision for the pension and gratuity scheme would target officers with 10 or more years of service. According to the lawyer, the Police Act of 2003 speaks to the issue but says the Governor-General may grant a pension and gratuity.
“He is not bound to, and I wonder if a pension and gratuity is not something that ought to be confirmed on these officers, especially in these current circumstances.”
Commenting on the health and life insurance proposal, Martin said he is aware of a civil service-wide programme and an arrangement by Social Security when contributors get ill. He said however, that given the nature of police work there needs to be a more adequate and comprehensive type of health and life insurance for them.
“It has to do with the nature of their job but also with providing incentives for people to enter and stay in the force.”
