Police Complaints Authority Gets New Chairman
The Governor, Mr George Fergusson, joined National Security Minister Michael Dunkley this morning [July 3] in announcing that Mr Jeffrey Elkinson has been appointed the Chair of the Police Complaints Authority.
Mr Jeffrey Elkinson is a Director/Partner of Conyers Dill and Pearman Limited. He is a leading international arbitrator and was President of the worldwide Chartered Institute of Arbitrators for 2012. He is the current Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee of the Bermuda Bar Association.
Besides membership in the Bermuda Bar, he is a member of the Bar in, amongst other places, Ireland, England & Wales, Hong Kong, New South Wales, New York and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
Mr Elkinson is also Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee of the Bermuda Bar Association and served in 2012 as President of the worldwide Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Photo [L-R]: PCA member Major Barrett Dill, Minister Michael Dunkley, Governor George Fergusson, outgoing Interim PCA Chair William Francis, Jeffrey Elkinson and Andrew Birmingham.
The Governor said, “I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Bermuda Police Service for its professionalism and the restraint and discipline it has shown in some exceptional circumstances since I have been on the island.
“I am grateful to the Minister of Public Safety for ensuring that the Authority now has a funding line, with funds committed, to enable the Authority to have an independent investigatory capacity”.
Minister Dunkley said, “It is important that people have confidence in both the Police and in the organizations that exercise oversight of police functions.
“A democratic society always has checks and balances and this Government is committed to demonstrating that rights and freedoms are highly valued in this society”.
The Governor full statement follows below:
I am delighted that Jeffrey Elkinson is to take on this role. An effective Police Complaints system is a centrally important mechanism in any open society. It helps maintain public confidence in the police; which is good for both the police service itself and for wider society.
Mr Elkinson, with his exceptional experience in mediation and in handling complaints in other professional contexts, is extremely well placed to lead the Authority.”
The Police Complaints Authority Act gives the Authority strong investigatory powers. These include a requirement that the Commissioner refer to the Authority any case where death or serious injury is caused by a police officer in the course of his or her duties.
I see this as a safeguard both to the police and to the public. And I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Bermuda Police Service for its professionalism and the restraint and discipline it has shown in some exceptional circumstances since I have been on the island.
I would also like to thank Mr William Francis, who has been the Acting Chair for over a year, and his colleagues for the commitment they have shown in keeping the Authority going efficiently during the extended interim chairmanship. During this time, the Authority has in particular successfully addressed the problem of a backlog of casework. I am very grateful.
And, not least, I am grateful to the Minister of Public Safety for ensuring that the Authority now has a funding line, with funds committed, to enable the Authority to have an independent investigatory capacity.
This is essential for a modern system of civilian oversight of policing; and was a step I was keen to see taken before asking candidates to come forward for this position.
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Minister Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
Your Excellency, thank you for the opportunity to say a few words.
First, let me congratulate Mr. Elkinson on his appointment as Chairman of the PCA.
I also wish to thank you for accepting this challenge. The Government is very pleased to have a lawyer of your standing at the head of such an important statutory body.
As the Governor indicated, the Government has more than doubled the funding for the Authority to a total of $50,000 to assist in investigating complaints.
This is a promise we made early in our term and in the Budget Statement earlier this year the Minister of Finance confirmed that we would be able to keep this promise in this fiscal year.
It is important that people have confidence in both the Police and in the organizations that exercise oversight of police functions.
A democratic society always has checks and balances and this Government is committed to demonstrating that rights and freedoms are highly valued in this society.
I look forward to working with the new Chairman and I also wish to record my thanks to Mr. Will Francis for his work as the interim chairman to this point.
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Congratulations Mr Elkinson, the first complaint would be that the BPS don’t do their job in our community and have unprecedented weak leadership
I would have to agree. Hopefully the Govenor releases the current Top Cop at the end of his contract.
Bringing people who have different skill sets and have worked in different jurisdictions regarding law and professional conduct is refreshing.
To be honest police conduct in Britain is rift and tarnished with police racism against victims (Lawrence family smear) to police corruption (they sold stories about the royal family to the now defunct News of the World), and many other complaints.
I have highlighted this because Police Authorities have their challenges in any country. Whilst Bermuda is not perfect, I sincerely hope that we will see tangible results without political interference.
London, England
Mr Governor
Since 2007 there have been 25 of our people killed with guns in Bermuda, the current “top cop” has been in charge for most of these years ansd has been completely unable or unwilling to slow or stop this, no one know why he is so innefective in this position, book smart and street stupid are among the community theorems, it would be most appreciated if you did something that would have a lasting impact for Bermuda by appointing a commissioner who can get the job done and will earn the respect of the community as well as within the BPS. Also during the current BPS management Bermuda has earned the “caution and unsafe” lables on most of the main travel sites where we were known as a safe haven close to the US
Lol Y Gurl is so consistent….I trust that you will file your complaint immediately…..
Are there no women in Bermuda who would be eligible to serve on this committee? It would appear there are more and more male appointments on committees by the OBA.