conditions, Public Safety Minister Paula Cox vowed yesterday.

But she pledged to implement the recommendations of an arbitration hearing -- even if it goes beyond the Government deal currently on the table.

Ms Cox -- due this morning to kick off a debate on the future of the Service and community policing -- said: "There will not be any unilateral reversal on our position.'' But she added: "If we are told to give the Police everything they want, we will do.'' Ms Cox was speaking after officers staged a two-day sick-out -- the latest tactic in a battle over a new contract for officers. The last expired in 1997.

But Police Association chairman Sgt. Mike Jackman denied radio reports that 100 officers had called in sick.

He said: "With a quick count, it's more like 25 -- definitely less than 30.'' But it is understood the numbers out sick yesterday increased on the third day of the protest.

Government has offered a basic 2.98 percent increase, plus allowances of between six and ten percent, to be phased in over four years.

But the Police Association rejected the deal and backed the Mowbray Report recommendations -- which included the same allowances -- but backdated to when the last deal expired.

And Ms Cox questioned the value of unofficial industrial action as the long-running negotiations are now out of Government's control and in the hands of the arbitration committee.

Ms Cox said: "A sick-out -- if it is a sick-out -- is of concern.'' But she added: "If you do something like that, there ought to be an end goal -- I can't see what that is here.

"It has now been confirmed the matter is going to arbitration -- anything which seems to run counter to that is a matter of concern.'' But Sgt. Jackman said Government washing its hands of responsibility was not on.

He added: "The Minister could make an offer at any time. They don't have to go to arbitration.'' And he warned: "It's folly to let this continue -- but they want to let it continue. It's a very small amount of money we're talking about.'' Sgt. Jackman added that the previous Government had set up the Mowbray committee, which made a series of recommendations which the new Government is refusing to fully implement.

He said: "They're getting two bites at the cherry -- and that's why people are getting frustrated.

"The previous Government set up the Mowbray committee so they could make a determination on what Police should be paid.

"It was the same thing as arbitration -- although Government were never prepared to accept the findings as binding, although we were, even when we didn't agree with everything in it.

"But you can't spend a year looking at that then going somewhere else.'' Ms Cox said today's debate will put the spotlight on Government's commitment to an improved Police Service and community policing.

She said: "Sometimes we have to provide a forum and there is no better forum than having the Legislature discuss it.

"I welcome the input. It may not influence me from certain views I have, but I look forward to the debate.'' And she added: "I hope the Police will also be listening. This isn't taking aim at the Police or victimising them.'' GOVERNMENT GVT