Perspective: Police Federation Bows … Eh!

Shaw’s Ultimatum Was Enough.

The tough talking Police Federation, has like a lamb to the slaughter and a sheep before her sharer accepted the Finance Minister’s ultimatum to accept the 5 percent retroactive salary payment even as they continue the protracted salary negotiations on other aspects of their wage claim.

Ultimatum

The Finance Minister Hon. Audley Shaw while closing the 2018/19 budget debate issued an ultimatum to the Police to accept the government’s offer of the interim retroactive salary payment by Thursday March 22, 2018.  It was a stern ultimatum delivered in what may be perceived as a threatening manner but no verbal threats were actually uttered. Shaw’s body language spoke volumes.  It was theatrics at its best.

Turn Around

A tough talking Police Federation chairman had threatened to take the government to court over the issue but they capitulated like a three storey stack of dominoes. They demonstrated no resolve or a firm back bone. Why waste time and grand stand. Just a lot of hot air. It was so pathetic to see tough talking “shattas” bow like monks before their Father Superior.

Good Sense

We are delighted that the leadership of the Jamaica Police Federation (JPF) allowed good sense to prevail.  The JPF Chairman Sergeant McCalla realized that if he did not bow he would be raw meat.  McCalla and his executives refused to have themselves roasted. To have not bowed they would have been like sitting ducks being readied for the oven.

Hon. Audley Shaw is my “Man of the Year” 2017. Congrats!

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.