Amendments to police act to be taken to parliament

National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore

Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore said amendments to the Police Act for a new health insurance for police officers, will be taken to parliament. 

He said a meeting was held on March 21 where the Police Welfare Association accepted the proposed amendment.

“It must be emphasized that the intention to ensure proper medical insurance coverage for police officers of the common wealth of Dominica, realizing the seriousness of this issue and recognizing the need to bring closure to this issue as quickly as possible,” he said.

“Of importance is the meeting held on march 21st 2019 at the police headquarters conference room where a draft of the amendment was presented to the Police Welfare Association,” Blackmoore stated. “It is important to note that the Police Welfare Association accepted the proposed amendment and communicated the agreement to the government through the permanent security of the ministry of justice on the 22nd of march 2019.”

He a committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Cabinet was appointed to make amendments to the act. It included the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security, the Financial Secretary, Attorney General, the Chief Personal Officer and the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.

He said the Government of Dominica is mandated by law to provide medical coverage for police officers and remains committed to ensuring the best possible health and life insurance coverage for police officers. 

Blackmoore mentioned that in keeping with this commitment, in 1997, the government at the time sought to amend section 10 of the Police Act, Chapter 1401, to implement a group health and life insurance scheme for police officers but this had a negative effect by restricting the Government of Dominica to a particular insurance company which in the long run, did not serve its intended purpose. 

“The new amendment seeks to reinforce government’s commitment to provide medical coverage for police officers and their dependents. The government of Dominica remains committed to pushing this matter forward and pledges to take this matter before parliament at a next sitting.” Blackmoore stated.

Chairman of the police welfare association, Jefferson Drigo has welcomed the government’s decision to move forward with the amendment of the Police Act to provide for a new health insurance for police officers.

“We are very pleased that government has taken a step in a right direction to amend section 10 of the Act, titled the police medical insurance… to pave the way and make it easier to choose a new insurance company,” he said. “Just over a week ago, we met with government officials to discuss the final draft of section 10 and at the end of it, we agreed with the amendments together and we are very pleased that government has given the commitment.”

Drigo said that although he is delighted with the decision, he urged the government not to wait too long for more progress to be made.

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26 Comments

  1. Justice
    April 8, 2019

    What about the other essential workers who deal with blood every day Blackmoore?? You even including the dependants of the police officers and you have firemen and nurses struggling and cannot even get insurance to pay up because the plan is rubbish and government still not paying the small PERCENTAGE they claim they will pay. you’re looking only at one set. What about the rest???

  2. ?????????????????????
    April 5, 2019

    To all of you – stay in line with the article. Too much politics and hatred. Time to grow up . The whole lot of you is out of line. The article is about “Amendments to police act to be taken to parliament so they can receive better insurances for themselves and family”

    What is wrong with you guys? Bitterness is written over each of you. Why I say this because nothing positive comes from your mouths. Only bitterness. Same thing all the time. Time to say something positive whilst sticking to the issue at hand. Ignorance is not to be worn as a badge of honor. Great change your mind sets and comment on the issue at hand. Other persons all over are reading your comments. How do they see you (always the same thing over and over again) . Time to think positive!

    • Bwa-Banday
      April 5, 2019

      Let them read our comments because that’s the intention. They need to see how disgraceful and wicked Blackmore and the cabal has been. Very vindictive and ungrateful towards some of the very same people he served with. The police pay taxes and risk their lives for all of us everyday so he is not doing them a favor. We the people owe it to them.

  3. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    April 5, 2019

    Too little to late from the Minister of Injustice. Too many murders and too few convictions by the Director of Public Prosecutions to hold that title. Just another power grabbing scheme dreamed up by your boss. It took 18 years to finally think of the men and women that you served with. Just another self-serving attempt to hold on to power and money.

  4. Police
    April 5, 2019

    Let’s investigate More Black for using police officers to guard the house in Eggleston.

  5. Questions & Answers
    April 5, 2019

    Is Rayburn Blackmore the Crime stopper or the Crime BLOCKER?

  6. New Town
    April 4, 2019

    This guys are so wicked, because they are now coming out with those promises that are not possible to accomplish before elections are called . But after doing the same thing for 20 years , we will block every opportunity for Skeroo Party (SP) to come back to oppress us.
    Yesterday it was the promise of houses in Mahaut to be built by some Australian men, hence another Da project being built by a foreigner. Today is another promise to the police about their health insurance? Where was rayburn months and years ago when this topic was first brought up? I guess he did not need votes then so he was in Eggleston, sleeping!
    All of a sudden is now they seeing all the things that need to be done . 20 years is more than enough , pack you all bags and leave.

  7. Bwa-Banday
    April 4, 2019

    Ebeh look it. So many officers and their family have suffered over the last couple years while PWA continued to beg for better health insurance. Thank you Cpl. Drigo. They persecuted you, refused to promote you, continuously transferred you, belittled you just to break your back but you and the PWA stood strong. Finally they realize votes and personal security is in need so they placating they police. Take it whole heartedly and VOTE THEM OUT!

    You, Berchy and JJ should all be Inspectors by now but because you were resolved to fight the good fight on behalf of your officers you have paid the price. But let me remind Blackmore, Carbon, Valarie and Chemical Ali and the cabal that God is INDEED good all the time. We shall see. I am still asking myself why Asp. Weeks was not promoted in the last moves. Such a brilliant officer is now saluting the juniors he trained. Time will tell

  8. Too late
    April 4, 2019

    Make amendments for the police to investigate you De boss

    • ?????????????
      April 5, 2019

      Too late .. Do you really read? Come on read back again and again and get the gist of what the article is about. You really out of line in your comment. If you cannot understand what was said above, ask someone to explain to you.

  9. Da
    April 4, 2019

    After what More-Black is accused of, I am surprised to see this guy even standing in front of folks to speak on any issue. I for one will never give him a listening ear. he should resign now.

    • Legalize Crime
      April 5, 2019

      Totally agree with you. Only in Dominica this nonsense happens. What makes this thing look more insulting is the fact that there was not an investigation to clear the man’s name and, instead of Skerrit firing the man he announced the man as his candidate for the next election. I think Blackmoore and Skerrit should go to the Parliament and push for an Amendment to make Crime legal in Dominica so all criminals would be free to hold any office man.

    • ?????????????
      April 5, 2019

      Da the same reply for Too late is also for you. “Too late .. Do you really read? Come on read back again and again and get the gist of what the article is about. You really out of line in your comment. If you cannot understand what was said above, ask someone to explain to you.” It is time for you folks to renew your minds and stop see everything as you want to see i.e. hating on someone for no reason.”

      Bitterness will destroy you. You are only hurting yourself because all you see is the man without even reading or hearing what the man has said. This has to stop. Get yourself educated to read& understand. Forget the picture and your preconceived opinion of someone you figure you do not like. Erase politics from your mind & whilst it is true, you have your choice of party. Please be respectful, stay away from gossip & look at facts.
      Blessed day to you & the others who are bitter for no reason. Love is the answer. Bitterness will make you a monster and show on…

  10. Massacre
    April 4, 2019

    The ELECTION tactics are in full swing, DLp thing is, let’s address all the issues that the populace have been griping about during the past 5 years, by making these promises now, to give them hope .
    I want to tell Dominicans that they should not fall for this same old trick that rayburn, austrie and skerro have been pulling out the bag over the years. These guys do not have the interest of anyone at heart.
    Money will not do it for them this time around. The hearts and minds of the people will overcome.

    • Lin clown
      April 6, 2019

      Blackmore,do not worry with those Blue Idiots.Felix cannot win in Mahaut.You are winning bigger this time.Where was Felix after Maria?.It was the same Blue Bugs in and out of the Police Force who have it the way it is.Eddison,Lennox,Richards,Samuel,Gabriel,Antoine,Simon and others,conspired traitorously to get Mr.Blanchard,Mr.Valarie and other Police Officers dismissed.Now you have,Drigo,Sgt.Thomas and others who leak confidential information to Matt Peltier on Q95 trying to further undermine the Force on behalf of UWP.These Traitors should go do some hard work like Police in the 70s and 80s.The Labour Party does not have a CHILD MOLESTER and a WIFE ABUSER contesting election. Go investigate this one.Blackmore has never been arrested.Lazy Blue Bugs.No insurance for those lazy Police traitors.

  11. PHQ- Roseau
    April 4, 2019

    Waste of time rayburn is now trying to appease the very police officers that he shown no regards to over the pass 5 years. I want to tell you More-Black that this is too little too late we now know where guys desire lay We will do the right thing in our interest when the time comes.

  12. Ibo France
    April 4, 2019

    With this government, one should not bestow confidence in them until the agreement has been signed, sealed and delivered. They are notorious for empty promises and are verycapricious. As general election is just around the bend, expect an excessive number of sweetheart offers from this untruthful regime. I judge a government’s sincerity from the things they do just after an election. This is usually the time when you have additional or increase in taxes and total neglect from your MP because election is five years off. Look for them now to come knocking at your door. Ask, -Where were you for the last five years?”

  13. bel
    April 4, 2019

    Absolute rubbish….quoting the former commissioner of police “one word….utter rubbish” All of a sudden which act that is going to be taken to parliament. Officers be reminded there is no more parliament before the next elections.

  14. Rac
    April 4, 2019

    Blackmoore has lost all his credulity and marbles–he should not be seen let alone be talking publicly on anything–he is damaged goods- a has been- or in words he will more identified with- a spent bullet === useless.

    • dee
      April 4, 2019

      When is election again ?
      around the corner ?
      Since 1997 wee.
      WHY CANT WE HAVE ELECTIONS EVERY YEAR
      we would get so much done ,
      the politicians would be kept on their feet ,
      they wouldn’t have time exploit de Country resources
      they wouldn’t have to tell all them lies
      they wouldn’t have so many unfulfilled promises
      they would fear to lose their jobs so they would work to earn their pay
      they wouldn’t have time amass all de wealth they sitting on dere now .
      amend the acts to have election every year , I say .

      • Ibo France
        April 4, 2019

        Dee, I particularly like your post because it’s so truthful. For 4 1/2 years after an election, these politicians go incognito. In the twilight hours just before a pending election they come sitting on your doorsteps begging for a next five years of job security. Only their credulous diehards will fall for their crocodile tears and spurious claims and assurances. The DLP is comprised of too many nakedly corrupt, timorous weaklings. Not once has one of them ever stood up to their leader and gently rebuke him for his many wrongdoings and mistakes. IT’S LICKS FOR THEM ON ELECTION DAY!

  15. %
    April 4, 2019

    No surprise .
    Election melee… Both Skerrit and Blackmore are under stress, yearning for help!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  16. LaPlaine Observer
    April 4, 2019

    After 18 years in power, only now this incompetent government sees it suitable to provide health insurance to the Police. Is this just another detracting ploy because election is nearing.

  17. Prophetic Voice
    April 4, 2019

    “Minister for Justice, Immigration and National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore… ”
    Just this sentence above tells us why Dominica CANNOT make progress under Roosevelt Skerrit and why the wrath of God will continue to be seen as long as Skerrit is in power because CLEARLY, Rayburn Blackmoore reminds me of the passage in Pro. 14:34 …”Sin is a Reproach to Any People.”
    I am happy for the police but these amendments at this time force me to suspect two reasons for this:
    1. Election is coming and they need the help and support of the police.
    2. No doubt in my mind that Blackmoore is now pushing for the police because he wants to REWARD them for not investigating him and the rumors we heard and read about “BABY SARAH.” My God, I am not accusing the minister of anything but with what we heard and read about him, why didn’t Skerrit, Carbon, Astaphan and the Bajan Hartley Henry not conduct an inquiry to clear the name of the Minister, even if they had Mills or Corbette to do it?…

  18. Neville
    April 4, 2019

    I didn’t expect anything else. Skerrit could not afford his private army to desert him. By the way Blackmoore, how is the police progressing with your case or has it been swept under the carpet?

    • Progit
      April 4, 2019

      Hello the state has the mandate to provide proper insurance for police so skerite has no choice. This man is an incompetent bofon. He has driven all the nurses teachers police into poverty. Damn currupt labour party.

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