The government and the police federation yesterday (November 10) inked a new wage deal for the 2015/2017 contract period, after months of negotiations.

The police federation represents rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Under the deal, the police federation will receive a seven per cent increase in salaries.

This means that rank and file members will receive a four per cent increase in the first year, and the remaining three per cent in year two.

Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Sergeant Raymond Wilson says while the police have not received all that they wanted, they are happy to ink a deal.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Dr Peter Phillips, says the signing of the agreement brings the total coverage of all the signings with public sector unions and workers to approximately 95 percent for the 2015-2017 contract period.

The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association is yet to sign a wage deal.

Dr Phillips says the government has increased the housing allowance to police officers, in response to the request of the federation executive to provide a greater rate of increase for officers in the lower ranks.