Questions on the PSC

THE EDITOR: Based on reports making the rounds in the media, I pose the following questions for answer by the competent authorities:

1. Why was the Police Service Commission not fully and properly constituted, bearing in mind that the commission was due to have before it, without doubt, the most important decision it was due to make during its entire existence, ie, selection and recommendation of individuals suitable to fill the positions of Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police.

2. Why did the commission (already not at full strength) take such a long time to arrive at its decisions? Was it that, having received the reports of the consultants, there was so much toing and froing among its depleted membership in an attempt to arrive at a consensus which never came?

3. Was the timing of presentation of the report to the President influenced by the fact that term/terms of office was/were due to expire?

4. Why (if as reported in the media) there was a 2-2 tie (not 3-1) in the voting did the chairman exercise a casting vote in order to provide a 3-2 majority for a candidate? Should the 2-2 position not have been reported and made to stand?

5. Why did the commission fail to deal with alleged recommendations from authorities, including the Police Complaints Authority, which could have had a bearing on the selection process?

6. Why, as reported, did the commission take upon itself to, in effect, submit to itself an application for the position of CoP?

ERROL OC CUPID

Trincity