Police and PM come to “reasonable” figure for T 20 security bill

A call of “let’s be reasonable” seems to have been answered by police officers who recently provided security during this country’s five International Cricket Council’s Men’s T 20 World Cup games at Arnos Vale.

The call was made by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves while speaking on NBC radio on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, where he said he received a bill of close to $800,000 for payment to police officers who worked during the ICC cricket matches at Arnos Vale. He described it as unreasonable.

On Sunday, October 27, 2024, during his address to the nation at this country’s 45th anniversary of Independence parade, Dr Gonsalves said the government and the Police, through the Acting Commissioner, Enville Williams, had reworked the figures for the payment of all the officers, from the rank of Constable to Commissioner, for the provision of security.

“The payout of approximately $500,000 to the Police will be effected shortly,” Gonsavles said, as he announced a figure $300,000 less than what was initially being sought.

Speaking earlier this month, the Prime Minister had described the EC$800,000 as a “hefty bill” and stressed that “the numbers are unreasonable.”

He had noted that Constables were to be paid $65 per hour, with higher ranking officers claiming up to $200 per hour.

He said the officers billed for 15 and 20 hours work at this price, while they were receiving their monthly salary from the government.

Some persons were billed to collect over $20,000 for work done during the five matches.

“I am not saying they must not get paid…but they have to send me something reasonable,” he had said, while adding that officers had submitted bills claiming to have worked 15 hours security, on a day when they were getting paid by the government.