Police Department Could Lose All Five Attorneys Over Pay Dispute

The Belize Police Department currently stands to lose all five of its attorneys if a pay raise is not approved. Such a move would bring their annual salaries from approximately thirty-seven thousand dollars to one hundred thousand dollars; an estimated three hundred and fifteen thousand dollars to the public wage bill.  A senior source has informed Love News that all five attorneys have threatened to resign unless their compensation is brought in line with that of Crown Counsel Glenfield Dennison and other government lawyers. According to the source, attorneys at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other ministries receive approximately one hundred thousand dollars annually.  Love News understands that the Police Department does not pay officers based on their academic or professional qualifications. Officers who qualify as attorneys therefore continue to receive salaries tied to their police positions.  The issue surfaced during checks into an unofficial report of the resignation of an Assistant Superintendent of Police. Love News has also learnt from a credible source that a draft Cabinet paper has been sent to Home Affairs Minister Julius Espat. The proposal reportedly recommends placing the five police attorneys in Crown Counsel positions within the department, with corresponding salaries. Love News understands that Minister Espat will support the request.  The calls for higher pay follow the disclosure of Dennison’s compensation. Love News previously reported that he receives close to ten thousand Belize dollars monthly as Crown Counsel, inclusive of housing, utility, vehicle, library and robe allowances. That package is separate from his payment as a senator.  While the request is understood to have the Minister’s support, the paper is yet to reach Cabinet for approval.