News
Lawyer appointed head of commission to investigate the police
Paul Henry
Friday, July 30, 2010
ATTORNEY Terrence F Williams was yesterday sworn in as commissioner of the newly established Independent Commission of Investigations, a unit tasked with the responsibility of probing allegations of abuses against the citizenry by the police and other agents of the state.
The commission will effectively take over from the police the duty of investigating itself and will also probe allegations of abuse by warders and members of the military.
The Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) currently investigates cases of police shootings and allegations of abuse and corruption.
The body will also replace the Police Public Complaints Authority.
During a swearing in ceremony at King's House, Willliams -- who had been the British Virgin Islands' chief prosecutor for 10 years and an assistant director in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica -- vowed to earn the "respect and confidence" of the public by getting at the truth of each allegation.
"...The mission of this commission is to search for the truth whenever it is alleged that agents of the state have abused their awesome powers," Williams said.
However, the commission will not start investigating allegations of abuse any time soon as the department, with an allocated budget of $200 million, is without a staff of investigators, said Williams.
He said that the hiring and training phase was underway, and until that process is completed, the commission will supervise investigations into abuse that is currently being conducted by the BSI, he told reporters after the ceremony.
 
|
POST A COMMENT
You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.
HOUSE RULES
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.
2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.
7/30/2010
I wonder if this gentleman realizes what a gigantic task he has ahead? He may/should be able to bring back the lost trust that Jamaica had in it's police force, that is so needed today.
I hope one of his task is the investigation of corruption between the police & criminals, that citizens will again feel confident to pass information on to the police without fear of the criminals being tipped off & they & their families lives being put in danger.
"A TALL ORDER & FOR A SHORT GUY" GOD BLESS
7/30/2010
This is long overdue, to see the police engages in extra-judicial killing over the many decades and none has ever been prosecuted is a lasting shame, a 61 year old been shot in the face along with another man for smoking ganja, a motorist killed just because his car rolled back when He was ask to stop the police raised his M16 and shot him through the windshield and the heartbreaking stories goes on and on. I won't talk about Shaniel James again, let Mrs Portia Simpson do that.
7/30/2010
Hopefully this will help to rid those brutes in the force who are giving all police a bad name.
7/30/2010
Anything to lock up corrupt police who abuse InI citizen is welcomed. Babylon have been given free hand to kill ghetto yutes now they will think twice when taking innocent lives.
7/30/2010
Very good move. Hope the gov. will soon allocate the necessary funding to make the office viable.
If he is anywhere as indefatigable and fearless as G.C. then it will be the dawn of a new day for Ja.
If only we could reach that day when we have a body investigating the "wealth" of individuals (not only politicians) who are living above their salaries.
And for all our "diasporans" who put our politicians down I wonder if they see how the Reps. treat the Dems esp since Obama? Oppose, Oppose.
Other Stories
Revised Victims' Charter coming
0 comments
Gay rights activist claims lesbians are gang raped in Jamaica
0 comments
Tragedy - 2 students drown on school trip
0 comments
The anatomy of a fabricated statement
0 comments
203 more local nurses for public health sector
0 comments
No new chair yet for UDC, says OPM
0 comments
JAS Chamber to assist agri stakeholders
0 comments
0 comments
Martelly says he won't meddle in Duvalier case
0 comments
This Day in History - February 4
0 comments
Tax sugar to protect public health, say researchers
0 comments
US study finds Alzheimer’s spreads like infection
0 comments
Sudan military bombs US-funded Bible school
0 comments
Romney poised to win another state today
0 comments
Cops false statement makes Stone Crusher gang members walk free
0 comments
JLP Portmore councillors get impatient
11 comments
21 comments
1 comments
Crawford Street residents protest police killing
7 comments
0 comments
RSS Feeds
