Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Retired Justice William Ramlall has accused Acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken of flouting the Police Complaints Authority Act, and he wants the President to intervene.

In a strongly worded report, which was laid in the National Assembly last week, Justice Ramlall complained about files being done by the Police concerning the deaths of at least four persons involving Police ranks.

The files were never sent to the Police Complaints Authority, which is mandated to carry out investigations under the Police Complaints Authority Act.

Instead, Justice Ramlall said the matters were investigated by the police and then later sent to him, which he explained is in violation of the Act.

In effect, Justice Ramlall contends that the Top Cop should have sought the PCA’s comments as to whether any charges of misconduct should be laid against any police rank for any violation.

“It is my recommendation that His Excellency the President, makes it clear to the Commissioner of Police that he cannot continue to violate the law,” Justice Ramlall stated in his report.

Mr. Ramlall said given the breach, the matters which were prepared and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, must be sent back to the Police since the correct procedures were not followed.

He said he has since informed the DPP that he was unable to submit his reports on the matters since the police did not forward the matter to him as the laws mandated.

“This report can only be done if I supervised the respective investigations, I referred these matters to the DPP informing her that it was impossible to compile my reports in accordance with the specific requirements of Section 15 of the said Act,” Justice Ramlall stated in his report.

Section 13 of the PCA Act, sets out a procedure for the PCA to be notified of any complaint or information and section 14 mandates the PCA to supervise the investigation.

“The Commissioner has never contacted or consulted the Authority on any of these matters and the Commissioner or statutorily obligated/mandated to do so,” Justice Ramlall cited.

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