Investigations of police corruption and malpractice are set to resume soon.
This after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar submitted recommendations to the Office of the President last Friday to fill the post of deputy director of the Police Complaints Authority.
Since May 8, all investigations on police corruption and malpractice have been put on hold pending the appointment of a new PCA deputy director. The post became vacant following the resignation of former deputy Andrew Stroude, who took up a post as a judge of the Industrial Court.
Communicating via a text message yesterday, Rowley confirmed that both the Opposition and the OPM had responded to an urgent request from President’s House on the appointment.
Asked whether he was concerned that the PCA’s investigations were being impeded and whether his office had responded to a request by the Office of the President to fill the post, Rowley replied, “Yes, after consultation and agreement with the Leader of the Opposition, we have...”
He did not respond to further questions about who was being considered for the post.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar also did not respond to emails and text messages about when the post will be filled.
Last month, PCA director David West said the non-appointment had been delaying the PCA’s work. At least five recent incidents involving police shootings of mentally ill people cannot be investigated because there is no deputy, West said. These include the fatal shooting of Paul Marchan, Raymond Joseph, Daniel Paul and Edison Thompson.
Marchan, 30, was shot dead by officers of the Western Division Task Force on March 16, after he reportedly attacked a family member and tried to stab two police officers at Richplain, Diego Martin. Joseph, a retired soldier, was shot dead on April 1, while Daniel Paul, 23, was also killed for throwing stones on June 5. Thompson, 45, was shot dead for attacking a soldier with a hammer.
Following the incidents, the TTPS was criticised for the way in which the police responded and West noted that it was up to the Office of the President to fill the post.
Boodan said on the day Stroude resigned, Carmona dispatched a letter to both the PM and Opposition leader informing them of the resignation. Deeming the matter one of urgency, Carmona advised both leaders that filling the post would redound to the benefit of the PCA and the people.
Boodan confirmed yesterday that recommendations were submitted by both parties on Friday, but could not divulge any more details.
“Once the appointment is confirmed the media will be invited to the swearing in of the new deputy director,” Boodan added.
