POLICE presence in some divisions across the country was weakened yesterday as disgruntled policemen and women reported sick to protest against Government's failure to pay them increased wages.

Members of the constabulary's rank-and-file (constable to inspector), represented by the Jamaica Police Federation, went ahead with the sick-out despite a call from Acting Commissioner Owen Ellington for them to continue performing their duties in the delivery of service and protection to citizens.

The Police High Command, said the acting police chief, was hopeful that a negotiated solution could be reached as it offered the best opportunity for an amicable resolution of the issues."The high command is also convinced that the process of negotiation has not been completely exhausted," said Ellington, while urging his junior members to keep discussions open while a resolution is pursued.

Ellington, at the same time, promised to activate contingencies to deliver critical services "if and when the need arises".

Government last year imposed a freeze on public sector wages and said the bulk of retroactive money owed to several groups would have to be paid over a medium term of four years.

Sergeant Raymond Wilson, chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, could not be reached yesterday despite attempts by our reporter.

Reports of policemen and women reporting sick were received from the St Elizabeth, Kingston West, St Andrew South and the St Andrew Central Police divisions.

Officers at the Kingston Eastern and St Andrew Central divisions were, however, tight-lipped about possible problems.

"Approximately 24 officers failed to report for duties [today]," Inspector Louis Brown of the St Elizabeth Police Division said yesterday.

According to the inspector, officers who called in sick said they were stressed and fatigued because of working long hours.

But Superintendent Maurice Robinson, the officer in charge of the St Elizabeth Police Division, said contingency measures -- including "special rotations" and the drafting of auxiliary personnel, special and district constables --had helped considerably.

Meanwhile, a policeman from the Kingston West Division said: "Right now the reports have been coming in about low police turn-out in a number of police divisions, including ours, and we are bracing for a possible increase in the numbers [come today]."

And a policeman who called himself a spokesman for a group at the St Andrew South Division, said there were few reports of absenteeism in that division, with indication that others could report 'ill'.

In Manchester, Superintendent Lascelles Taylor said the impact had so far been slight.

"We don't know what later or tomorrow will bring but so far we have had no problems to speak of," said Taylor.