Against a backdrop of global soaring living costs that are straining household budgets across nearly every sector, the Police Welfare Association (PWA) of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force has outlined a bold new agenda focused on easing financial pressure on its members and strengthening institutional partnership during its new executive term.
Sergeant David Andrew Jr., newly appointed chairman of the PWA, laid out the organization’s core priorities in a recent public interview, naming member financial freedom as the top policy goal for the coming year. Andrew noted that rising economic pressures are not a localized challenge – it is a worldwide trend that has hit uniformed officers just as hard as other working groups, with everyday commodity and living costs eating steadily into take-home pay.
To address this strain, the PWA has already moved to strike strategic partnerships with private sector entities. These collaborations will deliver exclusive discounted pricing on a wide range of daily necessities and services for all PWA members, a measure Andrew said is designed to directly cut household spending burdens and soften the blow of ongoing inflation.
Beyond private-sector partnerships, the association is also in the preliminary stages of exploring the launch of its own member-focused financial institution. The proposed entity would be tailored to meet officers’ unique needs, providing accessible loan products and customized financial service packages that fill gaps in existing support, Andrew explained.
The PWA chairman acknowledged the consistent support the government has provided to officers, pointing to the 8 percent salary increase awarded over the last three-year period as a tangible measure that has already helped improve members’ financial standing. Even with this public sector support, however, Andrew argued that the association has a role to play in delivering additional, targeted assistance to its community – making this work a central focus for the new executive in 2026.
Beyond financial initiatives, Andrew emphasized that the PWA is fully committed to working hand-in-hand with senior police administration to build a more effective, efficient police force for the people of Dominica. As an internal body embedded within the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, close collaboration with leadership is non-negotiable to advance members’ interests and deliver on policy goals, he said. Andrew acknowledged that occasional disagreements over priorities or strategies are inevitable in any large organization, but he stressed that the collective bargaining framework of unionism puts the PWA in a strong position to negotiate differences and resolve disputes productively when they arise.
Deputy Police Chief Jeoffrey James echoed Andrew’s commitment to collaboration, welcoming the PWA’s new agenda as a positive step forward for the entire force. James framed the new executive’s term as an ideal opportunity to deepen coordination between the PWA and police administration, noting that aligned working relationships directly translate to better welfare for officers and more efficient, effective public service for Dominica’s residents.
James reminded that the PWA’s core mandate explicitly requires working with police leadership to support officer wellness and keep the force operating smoothly. He urged the new executive board to maintain unity, shared purpose, and open communication with administration, warning that failing to prioritize this collaboration would be a misstep for the association. When built on mutual commitment, James said, the partnership between the PWA and police leadership will deliver tangible benefits for both the association and the wider force, leaving the entire institution in a stronger position to serve the public.