DPP Office most misunderstood, undervalued, underappreciated Gov’t Dept- Scatliffe-Esprit
The DPP stated that her “office remains one of the most misunderstood, undervalued, underappreciated and oversubscribed government departments.” She further stated that this was reflected in the continued fight for adequate funding and human resources that were allocated to the office. Despite these shortcomings, they continuously worked to meet their constitutional mandate as required.
The DPP listed the following vacant positions: 1 Financial Crown Counsel, 2 Senior Crown Counsels, 2 Crown Counsels, 2 Legal Executive Officers (posts were approved in the SAP earlier this year), 1 Paralegal, 1 Case File Clerk, and 1 Office Generalist II.
My department’s role-DPP
Mrs Scatliffe-Esprit noted that she remains short-staffed and needs more positions.
The DPP indicated that the prosecutor's role was to “present a case that is prepared by the investigative law enforcement authority.” It is their job to facilitate witnesses to give their evidence within the remit of law before a court, and to ensure that persons who have had their rights violated, and those who have been accused of criminal wrongdoing, have an opportunity to gain justice.
Some members of the public have interpreted this to mean that when a case is lost by the DPP Office it’s not necessarily her failure, but that of law enforcement.
The DPP also raised the issue while testifying before the SFC that she wished to participate in cybercrime, money laundering terrorist financing and proliferation financing training, and also to extend administrative training, which she hoped would help improve overall performance.
I need more staff-DPP
The Leader of the Opposition and Territorial Member Hon Ronnie W. Skelton asked the DPP what was her current staff complement and how many staff was required to run an effective office.
The DPP responded that her current staff complement was 28; however, she noted a decently staffed office would normally have approximately 40 staff. It remains unclear why the Attorney General’s Chambers was able to increase staff by 16 in three short years and the DDP Office has not had success in filling vacant posts.
Is the DPP office independent?
Recently, many from the political and social classes have raised the issue of interference by the Governor and Police Commissioner, along with UK Police Officers, as to who is prosecuted and what cases to move forward with.
One elected official has accused the controversial outgoing Governor John J. Rankin, CMG of using the DPP office as a weapon to go after his critics.
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