Crime & Justice

Puerto Rico gov’t to pay $25 mn in back pay to 402 police employees

San Juan, Feb 26 (EFE).- Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi announced Sunday that his administration will pay $25.6 million in accumulated back pay to 402 civilian employees of the US commonwealth’s police department (NPPR).

The payment to the civilian employees corresponds to pay due to them as per a salary hike authorized to them in 2004 after the approval of Law 164-2003 but which was never delivered, the governor’s office said in a statement.

Nevertheless, Pierluisi said in the statement that after an extensive dialogue with the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (FOMBPR) his government in March will pay the amount owed retroactive to 2004.

Pierluisi said that ever since he took office he and his administration have been working to be able to provide the back pay to the police employees.

He also said that providing this news is the “best way” in which to celebrate Police Week, during which island residents and authorities have recognized the work of the police.

Meanwhile, Public Safety Department Secretary Alexis Torres said that the payment will include back pay for between 2004 up through June 2022.

With the payment, Torres said, island authorities were expunging the debt they have with the police employees and providing the justice that had been denied them for the past 18 years, noting that it is the Pierluisi administration that had actively pursued this project and never stopped pushing to carry it out.

In addition, the FOMBRP approved the funding to pay amassed overtime to police staff employees amounting to $11.7 million.

Pierluisi also announced that $4.7 million will be provided to pay NPPR classified personnel and staff for accumulated comp time.

EFE –/bp

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