KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament reviewing the performance of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), yesterday indicated support for an additional oversight mechanism for the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

The idea of another oversight level for the commission has been promoted by Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting and Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding within the committee. But, was suggested to Parliament by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Lewellyn, following a row with INDECOM boss, Terrence Williams, over her handling of the case involving the controversial killing of aspiring DJ Robert “Kentucky Kid” in 2009 by the police..

The committee had been reluctant in the past to give support to the idea, but after Bunting read a letter he had addressed to Golding, as chairman of the JSC, which he said was intended to clarify his view on the issue, and an assurance from Golding that the oversight panel would be a non-executive review board, the members changed their position.

In his letter, Bunting said that with very little oversight from Parliament, Commissioner Williams, and possibly his team at INDECOM, “decides administrative, investigate and prosecutorial issues with no operational review”.

“The quality and fairness of these decisions are critical to maintaining both the confidence of the public, as well as the trust of the security forces,” Bunting said.

“Importantly, if members of the security forces conclude that engaging armed violent criminals is a ‘no win’ exercise for them, then we run the risk of facilitating criminal impunity with obvious adverse consequences to the society,” he said.

Government members senators Lambert Brown and Wensworth Skeffery said that after hear Bunting’s clarification and accepting Golding’s assurance they would support the proposal.

The only Opposition member present, Delroy Chuck (North East St Andrew), was reluctant to support the proposal, stating that he did not see the need for the additional oversight. However, he said that he would go along with them proposal with the assurance that it would not interfere with the day-to-day operations of INDECOM.

The Independent Commission of Investigations was established under the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, which repealed the Police Public Complaints Act on April 15, 2010 to undertake investigations concerning actions by members of the Security Forces and other agents of the State that result in death or injury to persons or the abuse of the rights of persons and for connected matters.

The Commission took over from the Police Public Complaints Authority on August 16, 2010.

Balford Henry