Police association head wants medical insurance for officers

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A recent increase in the number of police officers succumbing to COVID-19 has prompted the President of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association to renew calls for the Government to provide medical insurance for police officers.

Inspector Gideon Dixon said the loss of 30 officers to date has rattled the service. According to him, the Government should take a different approach to bolster officers confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines.

According to him, swift action is needed to mitigate the loss of life.

“The State must also stand liability if persons have adverse effect as it relates to COVID vaccination. We want to see that take place in a meaningful way. Medical insurance could assist in terms of persons removing that barrier, that blockade, that hesitation from wanting to be vaccinated.”

Dixon said the association will be taking its own action to try and prevent more officers from contracting and dying from COVID-19.

“ We are doing a survey right now which will be coming to an end at 6 pm on the 7th (today). When we extrapolate the data it will assist us in a strategic approach going forward, so any time from the 8th going forward we are going to put together a task force and work alongside the administration to see if we could address the welfare concerns of police officers.”

The Police Service Social and Welfare Association President also contended that a better distribution of personal protective equipment for officers is needed.

“Just like the doctors and nurses have their PPE 24 hours around the clock we need to have those, and while the supply chain may have been impacted there is sufficient to give.”