by Donna Sealy

FED-UP POLICEMEN want an end to the wet conditions at the Holetown Police Station in St James.

Secretary of the Police Association, Michael Blackman, is calling on authorities to make good on the promises made over the last two years to have work completed at stations across the island.

"If this was the Public Library or the Registry, the staff would have gone. We can't strike. The police are prepared to do their work. Give us proper conditions to do our work," he told the DAILY NATION yesterday afternoon after touring the station.

He said lawmen there faced "serious health risks".

"This is probably the third time for the year we've come down here to look at the conditions. Today really brings it to a head. There is a stench associated with the water-logged station and the police are finding it difficult to get from the barracks, which are dry, to duty in the station office.

"They have to be walking through brown and green water [and] when you look to the roof, the same discoloured water is there and it is constantly dripping.

"Right now outside is as dry as a biscuit. There is no rain falling. You would not believe it [but] if you are in the station the water is running. It is a serious and major health risk," said Blackman.

Wastepaper bins were placed in corridors to catch water from the leaky roofs, which the officer had to dodge, while caution signs were placed near pools of water, over which officers "hopped and skipped".

Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Vincent Springer said he had "no comment to make at this time" but promised to speak on the matter at a later stage.

Blackman said he was told by the force's buildings officer that "out of an abundance of caution he has advised the senior superintendent to evacuate the majority of the station" and this order was being done "systematically".

"If [heavy] rain falls, the station will be flooded," he contended, adding he was told there was a room at the station and "adequate room" at District "E" "to house the majority of staff".

President of the association, Hartley Reid, said he and Blackman would tour the building today.