BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE local justice system has made a step forward in their effort to administering justice and solving crime. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) announced that the first stage in a national prosecution service has been implemented.
The DPP, Paulina Hendrickson, spoke at a ceremony in Nevis on Sep 20, to mark the opening of the 2011/2012 law year of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC).
Hendrickson said that presently the police prosecution was separate from the DPP’s office and operated within the Royal St. Christopher Police Force.
“This structure made it difficult for the Director to perform her duties satisfactorily and efficiently and to exercise overall control and oversight over all criminal cases in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Therefore in an effort to overcome this deficiency the first stage in establishing a National Prosecution Service has been implemented and Police Prosecutors will shortly be operating from the office of the DPP,” she said.
The DPP also informed that the time has come to change from having three Assizes in St. Kitts and two in Nevis, and introduce the system where the Criminal High Court sits continuously throughout the year.
“We are in need of better tools, systems and technologies to improve the prosecution in crime and to aid in general the criminal justice system.”
Hendrickson said that they are heartened by the promises of the new Commissioner of Police that he will be using initiatives that will help to reduce crime.
She continued “And that he has already put initiatives in place to try to reduce crime by using forensics and physical evidence that would be presented in court instead of relying solely on eye witness testimony.
"My Lord, we look forward to the continuous strengthening of the relationship we have with the police in our fight against crime,.” she concluded.
