Dulalchan takes on Police Complaints Authority

TOP cop hopeful DCP Deodat Dulalchan is threatening legal action against the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and its director David West over the authority’s handling of a 2011 complaint against him.

One of Dulalchan’s attorneys, Kiel Tacklalsingh, wrote to West on Tuesday, accusing the PCA of conducting a procedurally improper and flawed investigation.

He also complained of the information provided by West on April 9 to a Special Select Committee (SSC) looking into the selection process for a Police Commissioner and Deputy Police Commissioner. At that meeting West spoke of an investigation by the PCA of one of the candidates considered for the post of commissioner.

On Tuesday, a member of the SSC, Dr Roodal Moonilal, said there appeared to have been some kind of conspiracy involving the PCA aimed at preventing Dulalchan from getting the job.

He made the statement after it was revealed that the PCA received a recommendation to discontinue a complaint filed against Dulalchan, which was later revisited and sent to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for further action.

In his letter, Dulalchan’s lawyer has called on West to retract the recommendation to the PSC and reconsider the evidence and investigatory process in keeping with the principles of natural justice.

He is also seeking an apology for the way in which he was treated by the PCA, which, he said, may mitigate the damage caused to Dulalchan’s professional reputation.