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National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang
National Security Minister Dr. Harris Chang has announced that rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force will be paid increments in June.
Dr. Chang made the revelation on Wednesday at the Jamaica Police Federation's 82nd Joint Annual Central Conference in Hanover.
His response follows strong rebuke by his opposition counterpart, Senator Peter Bunting, about the delayed payments.
"The increment will be paid in June. And for those who are new, that was the understanding from the time we went to the compensation package - that they would execute the new pay scale across the public sector and in June 2025 we will pay the increments. And it will be paid on time, I want to assure you," he promised.
The payment of increments to public sector employees were scrapped under the compensation review, but the issue was renewed last year following negotiations between the government and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions.
Meanwhile, in closing his address, Dr. Chang also briefly commented on the JCF's retirement policy, of which Senator Bunting called for a review.
"The retirement policy, I cannot settle that now. We'll certainly discuss it. It's something we have looked at and discussed. Policing job is a high stress job. Even when you reduce the murder rate and the threat risks to officers and the community, it's still a high stress job," he acknowledged.
While acknowledging the stressful environment of policing, Senator Bunting said some members of the force desired to retire at age 65.
Currently, police officers have to retire at age 60, while others can opt for early retirement after serving 30 years in the JCF.