Professor Gordon Shirley (right) and Horace Burrell last year at the signing of an agreement between the university and the Jamaica Football Federation. - file
Professor Gordon Shirley, pro-vice chancellor and principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, has been selected to head a new-look Police Service Commission, which is to be named shortly.
The Cabinet last week approved the members of the commission, who are to take up their posts after the life of present commission ends on January 31.
While confirming that the members had been selected, government officials yesterday refused to release the names of the persons who will be on the body, which makes recommendations on the appointment and disciplining of police personnel from the rank of inspector upwards. It also decides on retirements, selection for study leave and appeals for the entire police force.
The Gleaner has confirmed that Shirley, a former ambassador to Washington DC, has been selected to replace the outgoing chairman, Noel Hylton.
Shirley is to be joined by former army captain and president of the Jamaica Football Federation, Horace Burrell, Anglican Bishop Robert Thompson, a yet-to-be-named member of the Jamaican Bar Association and another member.
They will replace retired Justice Averi McKain, Dr Lloyd Barnett and Dr Marshall Hall.
Sources say the Government and Opposition agreed on the composition of the commission after a face-off over two persons who were proposed by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
"There was almost a breakdown in the talks after the prime minister proposed two persons who were rejected by the Opposition, which demanded the appointment of one of the persons now named," one source said.
"But the prime minister gave in to the Opposition and both sides are now satisfied with the composition of the commission," the source added.
The Police Service Commission is enshrined in the Constitution and is appointed by the governor general, who acts on the recommendation of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition.
Thompson
JAMAICA CONSTITUTION CHAPTER 9: (excerpts)
129. Police Service Commission.
There shall be a Police Service Commission for Jamaica consisting of a chairman and such number of other members, being not less than two nor more than four, as the governor general, acting on the recommendation of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition, may from time to time decide.
The members of the Police Service Commission shall be appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition, by instrument under the broad seal.
No person shall be qualified to be appointed as a member of the Police Service Commission if he holds or is acting in any public office other than the office of member of the Judicial Service Commission or member of the Public Service Commission.
The office of a member of the Police Service Commission shall become vacant:
(a) at the expiration of five years from the date of his appointment or such earlier time as may be specified in the instrument by which he was appointed;
(b) if he resigns his office;
(c) if he is appointed to any public office other than the office of member of the Judicial Service Commission or member of the Public Service Commission;
(d) if the governor general, acting on the recommendation of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition, directs that he shall be removed from office for inability to discharge the functions thereof (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour.