KINGSTON, March 2: Police officers in Trinidad and Tobago, where India and Sri Lanka will play their first round World Cup matches, have threatened to go on strike in a pay dispute.

Cedric Neptune, president of the Police Social and Welfare Association, hinted that T&T police officers may withdraw from the unified Caribbean force formed to beef-up security during the seven-week long competition which starts with a series of warm-up matches next week.

“It is time to draw the line,” said Neptune.

“People are not fully appreciative of the extent of work involved with this particular World Cup in terms of all the escorts and security details.

“Our police officers are saying it has always been that we are paid for extra duty and don't come now and tell us we are not being paid for extra duty.”

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul made it clear that T&T police officers assigned to work specifically at the World Cup local matches will not be paid extra duty allowances.

Paul said because the cricketing body entered into an arrangement with the T&T government, by extension, police officers assigned to work during the World Cup will be working for the state.—AFP