THE Chairman and newly sworn-in members of the Disciplined Forces Commission yesterday met informally to discuss modalities of their mandate to investigate and recommend reform of the Police Force, Army and Prison and Fire Services.
Senior Counsel, Mr. Ian Chang, who heads the body, said the need to advertise for the public to submit memoranda and the monitoring of these to ensure relevance to the terms of reference, were among matters discussed.
He said it was “necessary for people to get time” to make submissions and it was estimated the process of preparing for actual hearings might take about 28 days.
The arrival of Ms. Maggie Bierne, a member of the Commission for the Administration of Justice in Northern Ireland, is also being awaited. Ms. Bierne was the only member not sworn-in with the others on Monday because her travelling and accommodation arrangements were still to be finalised.
Chang and the other members - Senior Counsel, Mr. Charles Ramson, Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Anil Nandlall and Brigadier (retired), David Granger - were sworn-in by Acting President, Mr. Sam Hinds at the Office of the President in Georgetown on Monday morning.
All branches, departments and units of the disciplined forces will be under inquiry by the Commission, which has to make recommendations for their reform, sustained professional development and structure.
The body has been mandated to “give priority to its enquiry into the Guyana Police Force”, examining and making recommendations where necessary within three months. An interim report is to be presented to the National Assembly within this timeframe.
These recommendations will cover the composition, structure, function and operations of the Police, bearing in mind the changing nature of crime and influence of the traffic in illicit drugs and firearms, back-tracking and money laundering. (Nivedta Kowlessar)