UPDATE: Police protest over salary negotiations (with video)

Protesting police on the streets of Roseau this morning

A number of police officers, many of them dressed in black, protested in Roseau this morning over their dissatisfaction with the manner in which salary negotiations between the government and the Police Welfare Association (PWA) is proceeding.

The group of law enforcement officers also walked through the streets of Roseau and was addressed at some point by PWA president, Jefferson Drigo. The discussion is captured in the video below.

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36 Comments

  1. Met Boda Yo
    November 18, 2019

    Cheko, You in your BLUE shoes?
    Don’t worry,after the election you all shall find out….

  2. Time to Take a Stand
    November 16, 2019

    We are all talking about the UWP’s n DLP’s who did and didn’t stand for their rights, but we the teachers should follow the steps of the police officers. :!: we should put our heads together and demand for better treatments and appreciation, also we deserve an increase. Have the government forgotten how important teachers are to the country? We should not be fearful of being victimized in order to protest. WAY TO GO POLICE OFFICERS!!!!!!!! 8)

  3. CB BOSS
    November 16, 2019

    Be that as it may, I strongly encourage these officers to perform their duties without malice and to the best of their abilities.

    The House as been dissolved and the citizens of Dominica needs your professionalism at this heightened time of needs.

    Jeff, country, from my analysis I think you have a dilemma on your hands.

  4. Lin clown
    November 15, 2019

    IBO you and VIEWSEPRESS because you wasted your life ,and have NOTHING you blaming SKERRIT? A lot of Policemen have house,car and land.Under SKERRIT they are better than you.Lazy,Lying UWP TRAITORS.

  5. Lin clown
    November 15, 2019

    There are to many Police in the Police Force If the Government cannot pay,they should do like the USA.RESTRUCTURE send a few Policemen home In the 70s and 80s there were less Policemen and they were effective,dealing with the same population.In the early 70s Dread act.In 1981 operation Reddog.In Dec,1981 attack by DDF on Police Headquarters.In 1983 Grenada,CPF.These policemen were 5 in 1.PATRIOTS.Today some of them are like UWP.TRAITORS and a DISGRACE to the Police Officers of the 70s and 80s.If this is POLITICAL make them REDUNDANT.

  6. NY1
    November 15, 2019

    Are you only posting comments with a political slant? where is my post talking to the fact that Police and Armed Forces who represent law and order, don’t demonstrate in the manner they did?

    ADMIN: We had several hundred comments come in, in a relatively short space of time which took more time than usual to moderate them all. Check again your comment should now be posted.

  7. NY1
    November 15, 2019

    The Police are the ones who are charged with maintaining law and order in any country in which they are employed.
    Never are there police demonstrations anywhere, Police don’t Demonstrate.
    When police demonstrate it is called a coup.
    There are avenues for dissent and for the grievances to be voiced in the police and any armed force . It’s called the chain of command and if there is a union, that’s it.
    This action by these police officers was ill advised and by any means contrary to their oath as Law enforcement officers no matter what the intention.
    This gives the impression that the police Department is not functioning in the best interest of the commonwealth Of Dominica and is fragmented, even if that is the case.
    Perception has a lot to do with the running of any law enforcement organization.
    As a result all those officers involved should face disciplinary action.

  8. Squinjine
    November 15, 2019

    Well I don’t mind the police officers protesting for much needed pay, they also need to put much needed good police work, but why were they not stopped or disrupted by other police officers? Normal Dominicans protest peacefully and the police show up and cause a scene. Sooo…Hmm

  9. Magway ca
    November 15, 2019

    I’ll gladly back you guys to get more pay when you all stop letting the position of being an officer go to u all heads. Stop using police vehicles for personal business. Stop being lazy. Stop victimising people. Stop being political stooges. Investigate properly. Collect evidence and present it professionally in court. Stop being politically biased. You work for the people of Dominica not the ruling party. The force needs a massive clear out of all the party stooges and useless waste of salaries that it is cluttered with. All the useless lazy bodies have to go. We need above all a professional force to secure the country. The force should have a ruling board of 21 senior officers and those officers select from one of them to the job of chief. The prime minister should not be responsible for selecting police chief. And those 21 senior officers can be selected onto the board by votes cast by the lower ranking officers. The whole force needs a shake up before u all get more pay

  10. Magway ca
    November 15, 2019

    I’ll gladly back you guys to get more pay when you all stop letting the position of being an officer go to u all heads. Stop using police vehicles for personal business. Stop being lazy. Stop victimising people. Stop being political stooges. Investigate properly. Collect evidence and present it professionally in court. Stop being politically biased. You work for the people of Dominica not the ruling party. The force needs a massive clear out of all the party stooges and useless waste of salaries that it is cluttered with. All the useless lazy bodies have to go. We need above all a professional force to secure the country. The force should have a ruling board of 21 senior officers and those officers select from one of them to the job of chief. The prime minister should not be responsible for selecting police chief. And those 21 senior officers can be selected onto the board by votes cast by the lower ranking officers. The whole force needs a shake up before u all get more pay

  11. Blaze
    November 15, 2019

    Boy look jokes in DA…. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

  12. BE B
    November 14, 2019

    Who were they protesting for/against, was there any minister of government present at their protest? The House has been dissolved so I cant see the legitimate cause for their protest

  13. Roseau
    November 14, 2019

    At a time when every minister have their big houses and even building houses for their girlfriends ,and with $1.2 billions in overseas banks hidden in the names of de unknown, you mean to tell me that DLP slackers cannot find the money to pay the people who take care of us? I fully support the Police officers who are saying enough is enough.
    We need all the civil servants to come out amass to show their dissatisfaction with 0%+0%+0% = 0% . This is gross disrespect to the working class.

  14. Zammm
    November 14, 2019

    Shame, shame, shame on Skeeritt, and especially dat empty head blackmoore..
    Never in the history of Dominica, police took the street soo, never never never…
    Since the Police turn n are expressing their anger n disappointment, well Skerritt finish…
    Dominicans should know that majority of the officers are not happy.. And another disgrace is that Carbon….. Who has messed up the force by being pro skerritt and decisive…
    Skerritt must go
    Carbon must go
    Labour must goooo..

    Honestly, I use to joke with friends dat Dominica gone mad, welll today was judgment day…

    One more thing…. Skerritt have a group of officers who is like altar servers… They are to protect the Pm but you can see they political especially those from the northhhhhhhhhhhhh, old house constituency……

    • India
      November 15, 2019

      Shut your arse! Carbon is the one who has the Police Force under manners. They are angry because Carbon does not tolerate nonesense and sees through their political allegiance. It is very clear that every member of the PWA Executive supports the Opposition. There is no ands, ifs, or buts about it.

      The protest was all political. Negotiations is ongoing yet PWA chose to protest because of the incompetence of the Executive.

  15. Power to the people
    November 14, 2019

    You are protesting for your salary increase. I respect that. There are some among us who say they are protesting for electoral reform but as soon as coolout reach, they finish with that. That one, I cannot respect. Either you down for the cause or you’re not. Don’t be wishy washy. Our cause needs serious people.
    Good job police, don’t relent till your demands are met.

  16. pay the damn police
    November 14, 2019

    Is it only the “uwp gang of police” that need an increase in their pay? The labourite police don’t need an increase too? It is time for grown people in Dominica to stop talking nonsense and grow up. This is about the welfare to all police officers in Dominica and it is sad that only these few are willing to stand up. This is the best time for the police to protest because Skerrit is looking for votes. He wants their vote but is refusing to give them what they are due, Domininca is the only country in the world a PM would be so bold.

  17. Omg
    November 14, 2019

    Labour party has a lot of money. They are paying foreign bands to perform in Dominica.
    So pay the hard working officers an increase in salary. Lazy Gov’t.

  18. Madflyer
    November 14, 2019

    Police are the laziest

  19. Poor people governor
    November 14, 2019

    Thats our gang!!! Later will be greater . The power in man is greater than the man in power.

  20. Lin clown
    November 14, 2019

    I like the Police,and have ALWAYS supported them.If this protest is political then my support is GONE.I remember guys like ALFRED P,ST.JEAN G,GEORGE N,ALBERT K,WILLIAMS T,JOHN E,JAMES J,PAUL P ,SHIPLEY J these police were the ELITE.These guys NEVER took part in politics.After UWP won election in 1995 the force became POLITICAL.They fired the commissioner and his deputy and installed their PUPPETS

  21. Tolerant By Nature
    November 14, 2019

    This is certainly not fair to the officers who are out there serving the country, I do not care what party they choose to follow that is their democratic right. The government can find money to bring in all sorts of foreign artists to have mini Creole festivals (all in the name of campaign), send teams out to prepare the ground for town hall meetings overseas, but they cannot find money to pay the officers. More than half the Dominica Police Force (DPF) is disgruntled but only a few will show their face in public, why? fear of victimization!
    This is certainly not fair because the few that are out there fighting for a bare added pittance on their salary to survive, if and when they get what they are fighting for all the big shot police who are idle will benefit.
    SAD!!!

  22. Aa
    November 14, 2019

    Good thinking…If everyone protest now and their demands are Met, there Will be votes. No negotioations No votes equals Skerrit OUT

  23. Ship Sinking
    November 14, 2019

    Alas Skerrit, them same police you using to harass, bully and victimise your opponents, look they turn against you. Ship sinking

  24. Eagle-Eyed
    November 14, 2019

    That’s why i think that Skerrit in his next term in Government should re-establish the Dominica Defense Force since some members the Police cannot be trusted. This group of Police officers who are responsible for law and order blatantly playing politics through their actions in the middle of a general election campaign. This is a clear indication where their allegiance lies. As public servants they should be non-partisan. I hope they face disciplinary action.

    • viewsexpressed
      November 14, 2019

      You Eagle idiotic Blind Eyed, you said without evidence that-“members the Police cannot be trusted. Well, we trust them fully. The biggest failed person in Dominica now who cannot and should not be trusted is that failed incompetent immature Skerrit and his useless failed so called Labour corrupted Government. This is what it is and our officers talk to us with consolation and dignity that all they wish and want to do is to be decent professional police officers to do and undertake their respective roles as Proud Police officers in our Dominica for our Dominican people and not for any corrupted Odd Ministers, some weak blind Skerrit Police officers and his failed labour government, from the brainless heads to those who tip Toe for Skerrit lies and deception with questionable acts. We need this failed, corrupt, immature, unprofessional Leader of this Labour Party government and his failed team to go away from our government. Hon Linton & UWP Team will return decency to Dominica.UWP Yes

    • Concerned Citizen
      November 14, 2019

      eagled eyed

      why should they face disciplinary action???? they have beeen asking for years for an increase but to no avail, this is not the first time… This has nothing to do with Allegiance. Non of them have told you who they support protesting for increase does not tell where there allegiance. Because they may support the DLP does that mean they should continue to work with no salary increase? This is not fair, their protest may seem to come now and look like that but these law officers are suffering, I should say public officers. So look at the both sides of the picture and put yourself in their shoes. They have bills and a family to feed. Its who in the Kitchen feels the heat, you are not, and I suppose you have no family member who is a police or public officer..

    • Concerned
      November 15, 2019

      If civil servants protest for increase in salary how does that translate to anti government sentiments?i myself ima supporter of the government and would surely like to see my wages increase.maybe you have no job or prefer the government more than yourself and your financial future.the government gave them self an increase in salaries on the grounds that it was to low when it was much higher than the average civil servant here at home.so why can’t they give us an increase

    • dee
      November 15, 2019

      Eagle
      A distressed policeman told me he took allegiance to the bank counter to pay his monthly mortgage and the teller wanted to call an ambulance for him, thinking he was mad , he had to RUN away .
      Eagle have you ever wondered where the funds for all Labour Party campaigning is coming from ? the free attire , free food , free drinks, free petrol , free buses , free performances by paid overseas artists , free overseas travels ; free everything , YES WEE, PAID FOR FROM DOMINICAS RESOURCES , yet you want the Police to be happy to perform their duties to the best of their abilities , watching all of this ;
      MAYSHNCETAY you mayshancetay?

  25. Ibo France
    November 14, 2019

    Who can point blame at these officers? When police officers protest, it’s because they are desperately seeking redress, in this instance, over salary. This is a government that’s constantly in turmoil. Do Dominicans want more of the same for the next 5 years? The country is falling apart. Public servants, pensioners, the thousands of unemployed young men, women and adults are in desperate trouble screaming out for help. Yet, many of the sheep-like supporters of the current Administration are showering praise on Skerrit for putting the country in a hell hole. Getting Skerrit and the DLP out of government is not an option, it’s a priority, a MUST. Dominicans are you truly satisfied with your standard of living at this present moment? Should you be doing much better? Do you wish for your life to continue as it is right now? If no, then vote your oppressors OUT.

  26. Reallyyy
    November 14, 2019

    Ok that’s the uwp gang of the police ,ah u think ah u smart days befor election staging protest so that uwp will get a hype from that but news flash D/A ppl done make up there mind LABOUR ALL D WAY

    • Zammm
      November 14, 2019

      You are just another piece of cloth used by skerritt.. Because the officers take a stand you talking stupidnesss about politics…
      Goooooooo line uppp under skerritt table n eat the scraps at his table.. Skerritt have you alll as beggers n people who love free nessss..
      Leave the Police alone n gooo eat the supper skerritt promised you.
      By the way, the officers out there is just a Lil number of those who are unhappy n feeling victimized by dat one CARBON DIOXIDE N Pm Pinky Shoes…
      Skeeritt must gooooo.
      And wat Mr courtissss marfewwww lol doing taking news.. Telll him goooo n sleep

  27. D/can
    November 14, 2019

    What for them to protest they not protesting. People like to treat symptoms. You need to look at the source. Anyway I hope you all followed the same measures you all want other protesters to follow. Be an example.

  28. Maybe
    November 14, 2019

    Pay the hard working officers and stop giving hand out to your lazy people you paying them to vote for you officers put you all foot down skerrit lazy and his carnal need to go pay the hard working officers

  29. zandoli
    November 14, 2019

    You guys are busy doing Skerrit’s dirty work. You should use that as leverage to get more money.

  30. Police fed up
    November 14, 2019

    8-O ok then. Skerrit, give the police their increase tan.

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