Police officers have agreed to a pay freeze as part of a deal between the Bermuda Government and the Bermuda Police Association.

According to Sergeant Andrew Harewood, the chairman of the Bermuda Police Association, the deal includes a pay and promotion freeze, suspended free bus and ferry travel, and overtime paid at “straight time” for continuous duty.

“The Bermuda Police Association and the Government have reached an agreement in respect of a temporary modification to the Conditions of Service Order,” Sergeant Harewood said.

He added that “in an effort to assist the Government and the people of Bermuda during these economic times”, the BPA had agreed to reinstate one furlough day per month for 14 months starting on February 1.

The deal also includes a freeze on promotion and suspended free bus and ferry travel, he said, adding that the changes would be in effect from February 1 this year to March 31, 2017.

It was agreed that officers “be paid overtime at straight time for continuous duty”, take a pay freeze and continue to work with the Commissioner’s office in support of his budget reduction strategy.

Sergeant Harewood added: “It was also agreed that the issue of the safety, the welfare and the wellbeing of the membership of the BPA shall form part of the terms of reference of a working group appointed to explore the issues surrounding government employees’ health insurance.”

The deal comes after Michael Dunkley told the House of Assembly last week that the BPA had agreed to a deal that would see furlough days reinstated.

The Premier said the move may reduce the extra $200,000 supplementary cost required to cover the salaries of officers.