Govt pledges pay hike for civilian police staff in June

The salaries of civilian police staff  will be increased in June this year, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsan said Monday.

Ihsan was speaking in response to a question from the public at the second segment of the 'Ahaa' forum.

He was asked why the salaries of the civil servants in the police force were not increased when the salaries of the police were. They are as risk-taking as the frontline police officers, the member of public noted.

Replying to this question, Ihsan said that the government's intention in reviewing the salaries is to hike the salaries of the two groups at the same time. However, he said the government has been faced with budgetary constraints.

"The salaries of civil staff will remain in the same structure. Hopefully, the change will come in the salaries received in June," Ihsan said.

He said both sworn police officers and civilians work within the police force. Both categories of employees are police officers and provide vital services, he said.

However, he said there are minor differences between the two groups. Sworn police officers are required to go to the frontline at extreme risk, he said, adding that not all civilian staff would have to take that risk.

Police salaries were increased by 35% last month. The new salary structure includes basic salary, position allowance, job allowance and othetr work-related allowance.