00:00ASP Pitt says there have been attempts to restrict the association's authority, but he maintains it is fully empowered to represent special reserve police officers.
00:11He adds that an application has already been submitted to secure approval for the association to negotiate salaries on behalf of municipal police officers.
00:21As for ongoing wage talks with the police service, President Pitt reveals that the figure currently on the table is not what many believe it to be.
00:31So a lot of people at this point in time are of the view that the offer on the table is 10%, but 20% was ready for the period 2013 to 2019.
00:41The present offer on the table is 5%, and this association have rejected that 5% going into the general election.
00:49So it's a matter now of, again, meeting with our membership, getting the necessary financial advice and legal advice that's necessary in terms of how we go forward into this present negotiation.
01:01He says the association has not only talked the talk, but walked the walk, earning the confidence of members through tangible results.
01:10ASP Pitt adds that their success at the polls was driven by evidence of real progress.
01:16Every single member of our association at this point in time, they have been insured for a debt benefit, something that probably previously was only $12,000.
01:32It has now gone up to $50,000, and that in itself can cover a decent funeral.
01:36We are also exploring in terms of the ability to have a pension and gratuity plan for our special reserve officers, municipal police officers, and any other one of our members who are so inclined to be part of that product.
01:51The association president is also cautioning against the ridicule and unfair criticism of officers, noting that many work long hours under challenging conditions.
02:02He says it is unreasonable to expect the highest standards when officers are often under-resourced and ill-equipped to perform their duties.
02:12Policing is a stressful job.
02:14So now if the police officer makes a mistake, you want to hold him or her to account, not considering that this officer would have been working continuously, that is one,
02:26and probably not working within the best environment, not getting the adequate amount of training in order to carry out his or her duties to the fullest.
02:37And we must take these things into consideration.
02:39We will be holding those in authority to take these things into consideration from the moment that police officers are called to account from the perspective of this event.
02:48He argues that it is unfair to compare local officers with their counterparts in developed countries who operate with far greater welfare benefits, work-life balance, and institutional support.
03:01Pitt points out that since December last year, officers have worked through two state of emergencies, a general election, Tobago Carnival,
03:10and now face another Christmas and Carnival season, often without sufficient rest or leave time.
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