NEWLY appointed Contractor General Dirk Harrison said yesterday that he was honoured to serve in the capacity.

"I consider it an honour and privilege to further serve my country," Harrison told the Jamaica Observer following a release from King's House announcing his appointment.

According to the release, Harrison, who is currently a senior deputy director of public prosecutions, will take up the position left vacant by Greg Christie on March 1. Christie ended his tenure on December 1 last year.

Harrison was chosen from a short list of three candidates, fielded locally and from overseas following two sets of interviews and a behaviour competency diagnostic evaluation. His selection was ratified by Governor General Patrick Allen after consultation with the prime minister and the Opposition leader.

Yesterday, Director of Public Prosecution Paula Llewellyn hailed Harrison's appointment.

"Mr Harrison is an accomplished professional -- a very committed public servant and an extremely hard worker," Llewellyn said. "He gives of his best at all times. I, and the members of staff, wish him well..."

A graduate of the Norman Manley Law School, Harrison has more than 12 years' experience as a prosecutor on a wide range of criminal matters in Jamaica's courts, including the Court of Appeal.

His most recent high-profile case was that of three policemen who were charged with the murder of two men abducted from the Washington Plaza in St Andrew. The trial ended with the acquittal of one of the cops while a retrial was ordered in relation to the other two.

At the Office of the DPP, Harrison serves as head of the Anti-Corruption, the Coroners and the Environmental Law units. His expertise has been recognised internationally, as he has represented Jamaica at several international conferences against corruption. He has participated in the United Nations' review of Jamaica's anti-corruption laws and practices and is a member of a UN-selected team for evaluation and review of countries' implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption.