Handle golden handshake funds with care
By MOHAMMAD BASHIR
 Police commissioner Gari Baki and police association president Robert Ali have been told to handle the golden handshake funds with care.
McGregor Barracks mobile squad personnel, at a meeting on Friday, expressed skepticism at the ability of the union to manage the funds, citing past experiences.
While welcoming the scheme which they said would greatly assist retiring members of the force, the policemen feared for mismanagement of funds.
Mr Ali said similar sentiments were expressed by policemen in all meetings he has conducted throughout the country.
Commissioner Baki told them that he had given his blessings because the scheme was something the police department needed as it would free up the force from its stagnation.
“After serving 20 years in the force, you should retire and go with your benefits and do something else while you are still young. There is no point hanging around until you are 55,” Mr Baki said, referring to the existing retirement year.
Mr Baki and Mr Ali both assured that the funds will be managed by a board of trustees who will be appointed throughout a cross section of the community.
Mr Baki himself said he would not be a trustee but would scrutinize from outside and would have a representative on the trustee.
After almost three hours lecture on the pros and cons of the scheme, policemen in attendance were allowed to raise questions.
It was evident in the end that they appreciated the initiative.
Mr Ali also assured that there was nothing sinister about the scheme and it was a concept designed for the good of everyone.
The rollout will start in 2011 when the first 100 personnel will be retired under the department’s existing retirement system.
Those identified will be paid K100,000, a house and have the opportunity to be trained in business by the SBDC.
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