The Police rank and file last night finally voted to end the long-running pay dispute with Government - accepting a backdated 11 percent pay rise over three years.

Officers voted 119 to 36 in favour of the deal, hammered out by the Bermuda Police Association (BPA) and Government over the past two years, after a 90 minute meeting at the Police Recreation Club.

As well as the pay-rise, which could lead to windfalls of more than $10,000 for many officers who have not seen a wage increase since 2000, a number of conditions were also negotiated in the package including;

New Police stations;

free bus and ferry travel;

a review of shift patterns and staffing levels;

and suspended officers receiving full pay (increased from half-pay).

When contacted by The Royal Gazette, BPA secretary Dave Kinnersley would only say: "I can confirm that our members have accepted the offer, but I am unable to give any details until we have spoken to Government."

However one officer who attended the meeting, but asked not to be named, said last night: "We have voted to accept the offer but it took some persuading.

"Some people went in there all ready to say no to it. But we were told that by rejecting this, we may lose what is on the table under tribunal and only get as little as the original offer.

"There was a lot of emotion being shown and a lot of frustration.

"I think realism and common sense prevailed."

Another officer, who also asked not to be named, added: "I am glad this is all over with and we can go back to working under contract.

"We have got a pay rise above the rate of inflation and I think it is the best deal we could have hoped for."

The original Government offer was understood to be 4.5 percent over two years, while this deal gives officers a four, four, three, and three percent rises covering the past three years and next year.

In coming months, when the backdated pay rise is calculated including readjusting already earned overtime rates, some BPA members will receive substantial windfall payments, earned since the officers last worked under contract in 2001.

Commissioner Jonathan Smith told The Royal Gazette: "I am pleased with the news. Officers deserve to work under contract and the fact that the majority voted 'yes' is great news.

"When officers are working under a contract that is an immediate morale boost for the entire organisation."

He added that finalising the pay deal was "one of the major things we were looking to achieve this year".

Labour Minister Randy Horton had risked jumping the gun by telling the House of Assembly last week that a deal had been reached, subject to ratification by the BPA, but despite rumoured disquiet in the Police service over the details of the agreement, the feared 'no' vote did not materialise.

But last night he told The Royal Gazette: "I am very pleased indeed. I am pleased that the two parties got together and reached a solution.

"It speaks well for the relationship."