Background of the PCA
The Police Complaints Authority Act 17 of 1993, proclaimed on October
16 1995, established the Police Complaints Authority to perform the following
functions:-
- To receive complaints on the conduct of any police officer;
- To monitor the investigation of complaint by the Police Complaints
Division, so as to ensure that the investigation is conducted impartially;
- To report to the minister from time to time, as at his request; and
- To review reports from the Division in accordance with Part IV of
the Act
The Authority was established in response to an urgent need for appropriate
machinery to be set up to address numerous complaints made by members
of the public about the conduct of police officers in the exercise of
their duties.
Accordingly, the Minister of National Security proposed and Cabinet agreed
that appropriate legislation be enacted in Trinidad and Tobago for the
establishment of an independent, impartial body, vested with the authority
to address complaints made by members of the public against police officers.
Subsequent to the proclamation of the Act in 1995, the Chairman of the
Authority and members of the Authority held a courtesy meeting with
the Minister of National Security on December 20, 1995.
On May 01 1996, the office of the Authority was opened to the public
and it started receiving complaints. At this time the operations of the
office were carried out by the Chairman, with the assistance of two officers,
temporarily assigned from the Ministry of National Security. On assuming
duty, the Secretary took the necessary action to staff the office. The
staff of the office assumed duty on June/July 1997.
Background: Trinidad and Tobago Police Complaints Authority
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