President Granger swears in Police Complaints Authority

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppUC-Dg0UsI” width=”100%” height=”315″]

– Authority vested with power to receive complaints of misconduct by members of the Guyana Police Force

– President believes Authority can improve level of trust between the police and public

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Retired Puisne Judge, Justice William Ramlall was today sworn-in as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority by President David Granger at State House.

The Head of State said the Authority was constituted in accordance with the provisions of the law and in keeping with his Government’s commitment to increasing public trust in the Guyana Police Force.

“The Authority is vested with the power to receive complaints of specified cases of misconduct by members of the Police Force and supervise the investigation of certain serious crimes alleged to have been committed by members of the Police Force,” the President stated.

Justice Ramlall, the President said, was appointed in accordance with the Police Complaints Authority Act, which states that the Authority will consist of one person appointed by the President from among persons who have been or are qualified to be a Puisne Judge of the High Court.

The President believes that the Authority can assist with improving the level of trust between the police and the public and noted that the Authority is a public defence mechanism that allows citizens to hold the members of the Guyana Police Force accountable for their actions.

It can engender greater public trust in the Force by ensuring it is in conformity with human rights including the right to life and liberty, President Granger highlighted.

“The Authority is a critical link between the police and the public. It provides a means through which the public can have its grievances and police malpractices addressed in an impartial manner by an independent person,” the President noted.

The Police Complaints Authority will be in effect for a period of three years.

Justice Ramlall, specialises in criminal and civil law, particularly in the areas of analysis and assessment of evidence, the writing of judgements and the interpretation of statutes, among other skills.

He also served as a magistrate for several years, a State Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers; a teacher of Commercial Law and led a successful private practice.

The retired judge attended the University of Guyana, where he read for the Bachelor of Laws Part One before proceeding to the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, where he completed Parts Two and Three.

He is also the holder of a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School and was a part of several professional training programmes.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, State Minister Joseph Harmon and other senior officials attended this morning’s swearing-in ceremony.

By: Stacy Carmichael.

Image: Jameel Mohamed.

CATEGORIES
TAGS