PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson said Wednesday that the Government had recognised the need to strengthen the capabilities of the Police Public Complaints Authority (PPCA), adding that a number of changes would soon be taking place.
Speaking at a post-budget press briefing at Jamaica House, the Prime Minister disclosed that the PPCA will be relocated from its current location in the vicinity of the Police Federation, downtown Kingston, "to put them in an environment more conducive to the performance of the duties that they have to perform".
The PPCA, he added, would also be empowered to engage experts from within or outside of Jamaica to aid in investigations of crimes, especially when they involve members of the security forces.
Mr. Patterson disclosed that the name of the PPCA will be changed "to more reflect the functions it has to perform", and that its members would be vested with the powers of a constable to ensure their ability to properly carry out their duties.
The need for changes to the PPCA was a major point in last week's Budget Debate presentation by Delroy Chuck, Opposition Spokesman on Justice.
Last Wednesday, Mr. Chuck proposed that the PPCA be strengthened, expanded and empowered to control cases against the police "from the inception to the end, including the prosecution of cases of police misconduct, shootings and killings".
Mr. Chuck also noted that there was a need to increase the number of personnel at the offices of the PPCA, as the department was currently understaffed and starved of resources.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister noted that the Government was aware of the staffing problem and that attempts were also being made to address the shortage.
