In a strongly worded statement, the association said officers have endured longstanding employment inequities that have damaged morale....
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Police Welfare Association (PWA) has publicly raised concerns about what it describes as years of unfair treatment of police officers, citing salary disparities, unpaid allowances, delayed acting appointments and systemic administrative failures.
In a strongly worded statement, the association said officers have endured longstanding employment inequities that have damaged morale, undermined confidence in public administration and created an unequal working environment within the force.
Among the key concerns highlighted by the PWA are serving police constables receiving significantly lower salaries than newly recruited officers despite performing the same duties, officers acting in higher ranks for extended periods without formal appointments or the accompanying compensation, and long-serving inspectors earning less than newly promoted inspectors.
The association also criticised what it described as the continued failure to regularise acting appointments, address salary disparities and implement transparent and equitable compensation practices.
“These are not isolated administrative oversights,” the PWA stated. “They represent systemic failures that have persisted for years and raise serious concerns regarding fairness, accountability, good governance and equal treatment within the public service.”
According to the association, officers have remained patient despite repeatedly raising the issues through the appropriate channels.
The PWA said the continued exploitation of officers through delayed compensation, unresolved salary disparities and prolonged administrative inaction can no longer be tolerated. It added that police officers have served the territory faithfully under difficult and demanding circumstances and deserve compensation that reflects their responsibilities and service.
As a solution, the association is calling for the immediate establishment of a multi-agency task force to urgently review and resolve all outstanding salary, promotion and acting appointment matters.
The proposed task force would include representatives from the Deputy Governor's Office, Human Resources, the Ministry of Finance, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the Police Welfare Association. The group would be tasked with addressing the outstanding issues within clearly defined timelines.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, the PWA warned that patience among its members is running out.
“The time for acknowledgment has passed. The time for decisive action is now,” the association stated.
The PWA also signalled that it is prepared to pursue all lawful avenues available to secure what it describes as fairness, equity and justice for officers serving in the Virgin Islands.
In a strongly worded statement, the association said officers have endured longstanding employment inequities that have damaged morale, undermined confidence in public administration and created an unequal working environment within the force.
Among the key concerns highlighted by the PWA are serving police constables receiving significantly lower salaries than newly recruited officers despite performing the same duties, officers acting in higher ranks for extended periods without formal appointments or the accompanying compensation, and long-serving inspectors earning less than newly promoted inspectors.
The association also criticised what it described as the continued failure to regularise acting appointments, address salary disparities and implement transparent and equitable compensation practices.
“These are not isolated administrative oversights,” the PWA stated. “They represent systemic failures that have persisted for years and raise serious concerns regarding fairness, accountability, good governance and equal treatment within the public service.”
According to the association, officers have remained patient despite repeatedly raising the issues through the appropriate channels.
The PWA said the continued exploitation of officers through delayed compensation, unresolved salary disparities and prolonged administrative inaction can no longer be tolerated. It added that police officers have served the territory faithfully under difficult and demanding circumstances and deserve compensation that reflects their responsibilities and service.
As a solution, the association is calling for the immediate establishment of a multi-agency task force to urgently review and resolve all outstanding salary, promotion and acting appointment matters.
The proposed task force would include representatives from the Deputy Governor's Office, Human Resources, the Ministry of Finance, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the Police Welfare Association. The group would be tasked with addressing the outstanding issues within clearly defined timelines.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, the PWA warned that patience among its members is running out.
“The time for acknowledgment has passed. The time for decisive action is now,” the association stated.
The PWA also signalled that it is prepared to pursue all lawful avenues available to secure what it describes as fairness, equity and justice for officers serving in the Virgin Islands.
Community
Comments
Join the conversation
Your comment will appear after review. Your email is optional and will never be shown publicly.