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Police excesses committee to come
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Cabinet Tuesday approved the drafting of legislation to establish an independent commission to investigate excesses by the security forces.
The body will investigate cases of abuse by both the police and members of the Jamaica Defence Force.
Justice Minister Senator Dorothy Lightbourne said the creation of the yet un-named commission, was prompted by increased public outcry against police abuses.
She said the new body will assume and expand on the powers of the Police Public Complaints Authority and will have several offices islandwide.
The body will also operate on a 24-hour basis and will be required to report to parliament as well as the public.
Police and other security personnel will also be required to report to the commission, all cases in which there is a death, sexual assault, assault, the taking of bribes and damage to property.
Mrs. Lightbourne said the body will have other special powers, including the ability of its members to act as Police Constables and to take over crime scenes.
The commission will have access to all reports by the police on incidents as well as review disciplinary action taken against officers.
It will be chaired by a lawyer, who will be supported by commissioners, directors and investigators, who will be appointed by the Governor General.
<span style='font-size: 14pt'><span style="color: #CC0000">Mrs. Lightbourne said where commission members are drawn from the police force; they must have retired from the force for a period of at least seven years.</span></span>
She admitted that for the plan to work, several existing bodies will have to be improved.
<span style='font-size: 14pt'>Cabinet gives go-ahead for the creation of corruption oversight body </span>
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Cabinet has approved the creation of the post of Special Prosecutor, to investigate corruption in public and private sector agencies.
The creation of the position was one of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration's goals for its first 100 days in power.
Attorney General and Justice Minister Senator Dorothy Lightbourne said the special prosecutor will be empowered not only to investigate, but to prosecute persons found guilty of engaging in corrupt practices.
Senator Lightbourne said the special prosecutor, whose office will subsume that of the Corruption Prevention Commission, will work closely with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
She however stressed that the prosecutor will not be involved in asset recovery.
The prosecutor's office will be a creature of parliament and as such, will be required to submit quarterly reports.
The proposed Special Prosecutor will be a lawyer, with experience as a high court judge or Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.
Last year, Jamaica placed 61st a list of 163 countries with serious corruption problems.
This year, the country saw some improvement dropping to 84.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Cabinet Tuesday approved the drafting of legislation to establish an independent commission to investigate excesses by the security forces.
The body will investigate cases of abuse by both the police and members of the Jamaica Defence Force.
Justice Minister Senator Dorothy Lightbourne said the creation of the yet un-named commission, was prompted by increased public outcry against police abuses.
She said the new body will assume and expand on the powers of the Police Public Complaints Authority and will have several offices islandwide.
The body will also operate on a 24-hour basis and will be required to report to parliament as well as the public.
Police and other security personnel will also be required to report to the commission, all cases in which there is a death, sexual assault, assault, the taking of bribes and damage to property.
Mrs. Lightbourne said the body will have other special powers, including the ability of its members to act as Police Constables and to take over crime scenes.
The commission will have access to all reports by the police on incidents as well as review disciplinary action taken against officers.
It will be chaired by a lawyer, who will be supported by commissioners, directors and investigators, who will be appointed by the Governor General.
<span style='font-size: 14pt'><span style="color: #CC0000">Mrs. Lightbourne said where commission members are drawn from the police force; they must have retired from the force for a period of at least seven years.</span></span>
She admitted that for the plan to work, several existing bodies will have to be improved.
<span style='font-size: 14pt'>Cabinet gives go-ahead for the creation of corruption oversight body </span>
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Cabinet has approved the creation of the post of Special Prosecutor, to investigate corruption in public and private sector agencies.
The creation of the position was one of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration's goals for its first 100 days in power.
Attorney General and Justice Minister Senator Dorothy Lightbourne said the special prosecutor will be empowered not only to investigate, but to prosecute persons found guilty of engaging in corrupt practices.
Senator Lightbourne said the special prosecutor, whose office will subsume that of the Corruption Prevention Commission, will work closely with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
She however stressed that the prosecutor will not be involved in asset recovery.
The prosecutor's office will be a creature of parliament and as such, will be required to submit quarterly reports.
The proposed Special Prosecutor will be a lawyer, with experience as a high court judge or Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.
Last year, Jamaica placed 61st a list of 163 countries with serious corruption problems.
This year, the country saw some improvement dropping to 84.