The Barbados Police Service has sought to clarify what it described as “misinformation” relating to the late payment for allowances and duties owed to police officers.
A statement issued by Commissioner of Police Sonia Boyce yesterday addressed claims of late payments to officers for extra duties and flexible responsibility duties.
This was after social activist Winston Clarke brought the matter to his social media platform on Tuesday.
The commissioner’s statement noted that payment for all allowances submitted for duties performed in June were paid, while payments for duties performed in July and August were due to be paid this month.
It added that on Tuesday, members were advised of an issue with the upload of the electronic pay sheets. As a result, some officers were overpaid, while others were underpaid.
“In the circumstances, members were further advised that those affected would be contacted individually by the accounts department and informed of the action being taken to address the matter,” the statement read.
“As Commissioner, it must be stated that the misinformation being pushed by Mr Clarke . . . seeks to place the administration in a negative light and to create unnecessary concern among members of the Service and the public.
“This issue does not arise from any decision to withhold payment for duties properly performed but from a processing problem affecting the uploading of certain electronic pay sheets. The administration remains committed to ensuring that all legitimate payments are addressed promptly, accurately, and fairly,” the commissioner said in a voice statement.
Speaking with the DAILY NATION yesterday, president of the Police Association, Wendley Carter, confirmed that officers were notified of a glitch in the system as early as Tuesday.
“Somebody informed me about it and I told them I will have to check but before I check I saw it was broadcasted. It’s amazing that members have a vehicle to express their problems but would look to other entities to address it,” he said.
Carter said he was told that a glitch in the system affected the upload of the electronic pay sheet but was assured the problem would be corrected in short order.
“When people are dealing with numbers, they’re going to get mistakes. If there’s a glitch, there’s nothing anyone else could do. The commissioner is saying that the problem is being rectified and whoever is affected will be notified in person.
“We support the effort made by the administration to rectify the situation. I know people would be preparing for their salary but sometimes these things happen,” he added. (JRN)