City councillors at last Monday’s statutory meeting raised concerns over the number of constables that were proceeding on vacation leave.
Approximately 25 constables have proceeded on leave since last Monday. The leave days for the constables are staggered between 14 and 21 days.
Despite the concerns raised, Acting Chief Constable Peter Livingstone informed the council that they are adequately staffed and will be in a position to protect the city’s assets.
However, Councillor Patrica Chase-Green said, while she understands the concern of councillors, she believes that officers should be granted their leave since the council is cash-strapped and cannot afford to pay officers to work through their leave.
The former city mayor however, did question why leave would be granted to constables during the peak period of the Christmas season. She noted that during her tenure as mayor, a leave roster would have been created and approved by the City Constabulary administration.
Livingstone, however was adamant that “the department will not be impacted and will be able to function effectively.”
Mayor Ubraj Narine nonetheless expressed his disappointment at the decision made by the constabulary administration.
He lamented that during his impromptu visits to the constabulary headquarters he would find one officer working. On most occasions he said that the explanation he would be given is that they are under-staffed.
“This should not happen, why is it that one person is working at the constabulary headquarters? The city administration officer and the chief constable [Andrew Foo] needs to work together and ensure that they have enough staff on shifts,” the mayor declared.
Meanwhile, acting Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick informed the council that from January 2020, officers in all departments will have to create a leave roster. She disclosed that the Local Government Commission has requested that the municipality provide a roster to the commission for approval.
This procedure should prevent such issues concerning leave taken during the peak seasons from recurring.
