The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered Police Commissioner Francis Forbes to immediately reinstate Dennis Anthony Campbell to his former post as a detective corporal at the force’s criminal investigation branch.

The order of certiorari, which was handed down by judge Marva McIntosh, came after a judicial review of Campbell’s complaint that on September 19, 2002, he was unjustly transferred and “reverted” to general duties at the Kingston Eastern Division.

The order also entitles Campbell to be paid the allowances that were withheld from him following his transfer.

The decision to reassign Campbell was the result of a recommendation from his commanding officer, Superintendent Norman Campbell, who claimed that his office had been bombarded with calls alleging misconduct on the part of Campbell and three of his colleagues.

The callers, the commanding officer said, had alleged that all four officers were involved in acts of corruption.

However, Campbell’s lawyer, Arthur Kitchin, filed an originating motion contending that his client was not given a fair hearing before the decision to transfer him was taken.

In defence of the reassignment/transfer/reversion, Forbes told the court, in documents, that it was not correct to say that Campbell was reverted.

“… (he was) reassigned to regular uniformed duties from the unit where he was required to wear plain clothes. A detective is not a rank per se and any officer from the rank of constable to inspector can be a detective. A detective is simply an officer who is assigned to the Criminal Investigation Branch,” the commissioner said.