Roadtown, Tortola - It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this brief ceremony to mark the appointment of the Police Service Commission, another milestone in the development of the BVI’s institutions of government.

For some time it has, I believe, been the desire of many to create a Police Service Commission with responsibility for addressing for the police the issues that to date have fallen to the Public Service Commission in relation to the wider public service.  To quote from the report of the Constitutional Commission 2005, “it is the view of the top brass of the police force that there needs to be a Police Service Commission.”

What is true of the police top brass is I believe also true of many others; and this view stems from recognition that the police undertake particularly onerous, critical and sometimes dangerous responsibilities quite district from any duties of the wider public service and therefore deserving of their own Commission.  In consequence of this the creation of a Police Service Commission became one of the demands of the BVI negotiating team in the constitutional negotiations in 2006, a demand which the British government was happy to agree to and which was eventually incorporated in the 2007 constitution.

Let me first therefore introduce the five members of the Commission.  In so doing I congratulate them all on their appointment and I particularly thank them for agreeing to take on this additional public service responsibility.  A number of those on the Commission already carry out public duties either as full time public servants or, in some other capacity, contribute to the public good.  It perhaps goes without saying that all of them have busy and demanding schedules.  So we should all be grateful for this further commitment to public service.

All the members of the Commission are of course familiar figures.  But let me nonetheless make the introductions:

o Mrs. Josephine Callwood - Mrs. Callwood is one of two Commissioners appointed by the Governor who (following consultation with the Premier as required by the Constitution) will act as Chairman of the Commission.

o Ms. Rosalia Gardener – the second of my appointees to the Commission.

o Mr. Selwyn Vanterpool – appointed to the Commission on the advice of the Premier.

o Mr. Milton Creque – appointed to the Commission on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

o Mrs. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe – appointed to the Commission following consultation with the Police Welfare Association.

Once again my thanks and congratulations to you all.  We shall I hope be hearing from some of the Commissioners a bit later.

Perhaps at this point I might say something about the timing of the creation of the Commission not least because this has been a matter of some public debate in recent weeks.

In their 2005 report the Constitutional Commissioners pointed to at least one area where the Police Act might need amending once a Police Service Commission is created.  On further examination it turns out there are several points in the Police Act requiring updating.  In addition, to mirror the experience of the Public Service Commission, the Police Service Commission will in due course need to have it roles and responsibilities fully defined by law to flesh out the relevant sections of the constitution.

The initial intention therefore was that all this should be accomplished simultaneously so that the Police Service Commission would come into being with a full set of supportive and mutually consistent laws in place.

Once it became clear however that in practice this was not achievable steps were taken to establish the Commission in advance of the legal changes, so leading to today’s brief ceremony.  Though not ideal this is an entirely workable option.  It will mean that for the moment the Commission will be guided in their deliberations solely by the constitution and (as appropriate) the existing Police Act and will also ensure that the appointment of the Commission is not further postponed.  Having spoken to the members of the Commission I know they are fully up to the task.  Indeed, as they immerse themselves in the work of the police, their views on the content of the revised laws will be especially valuable.

Let me also stress at this point that the timing of the appointment of the Police Service Commission has not compromised recent police appointments. The recruitment of constables in the past year has I believe been questioned.  I can confirm however that these appointments were made under the human resource devolution measures (fully catered for in the constitution) under which the Commissioner of Police has authority within the law to recruit and make appointments up to public service grade 7, which of course includes the grade of constable at grade 6. 

Other more senior appointments to substantive positions in the police force have not been made since the new constitution came into force.  This was not because of the absence of a Police Service Commission; but rather such appointments, and the confirmation of some of those holding acting positions, had to await the completion of an essential study into the future structure of the force.  The new structure, which the Commissioner of Police has discussed in full with the Police Welfare Association, and which has also been discussed by the National Security Council, has been agreed within the past few weeks and will provide the framework for the force for the coming years. 

With this structure in place the Commissioner is now able to consider (after a gap) confirming some of the acting appointments; and the possibility of promotions within the force once again becomes feasible.  The appointment of the Police Service Commission at this time will therefore allow for all such recommendations to be considered, and recommendations made, as envisaged in the constitution.  So let me allay any concern that the absence of the Police Service Commission has impacted on the personal development of individuals within the force.  I can assure you it has not.

Finally let me thank the members of the Police Service Commission once again for this fine demonstration of their commitment to public service.  I feel confident they will exercise their responsibilities with sensitivity and attention to the unique public service role played by police officers in maintaining law and order for the people of the BVI.  I encourage the members of the Commission to familiarize themselves fully with police matters and to get to know the force.  And on that note I am happy to proceed to sign the appointment instruments of each individual member.