Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Dominica Police Force, Inspector Claude Weekes is convinced that a lack of qualified police prosecutors within the court system is posing a hindrance to the efficiency of the local justice system.
Weekes, who was speaking at a Crime and Law panel discussion at Bath Estate last night as part of the Fete La Coudre activities, said that ever so often prosecutors who receive minimal training in matters of the court and law are overshadowed by lawyers who received several years of training in their field.
He said that this lack of training often result in the misrepresentation of victims of crimes and needs to be revisited by the police.
“…I say these people should go to the university… and teach them the basics of prosecution[and] criminal law and so on … so that they will be more efficient in delivering the goods,” he said.
“Because a man has three chevrons on his side they send him to the [Magistrate’s] court … before Mr Behanzin and he stands up, he cannot even address the court, he does not have the language, the style, the prose to deliberate, to articulate for the victims, the victims of the crime. So then they’re short-changed. That has to be revisited in the police department,” Weekes, who is also chief prosecutor, noted.
He also stated, “Lawyers are trained three, four, five, six years and a policeman goes to Morne Bruce, he eventually becomes a corporal or sergeant, and then you give him six, seven, eight, nine , ten, twenty case files to go before Mr. Behanzin and to stand up against those … who have PHD in the field. You expect him to prosecute properly? He will not be able to prosecute properly…” the inspector stated.
Weekes said that he believes that only officers with the right aptitude should be selected to perform these duties.
“It is time that you identify the men and women in the police department who have one; the aptitude, because prosecution is pain staking, its laborious, so you must have the aptitude, the love to research, to prepare, you must be in tune with the law, because the law is so dynamic,” the PRO said.
The PRO reiterated his call for change, adding “we must get in line with the world.”
We cannot stay in Dominica and say it’s business as usual and not only in the police department but other institutions. We must get on par. We are short-changing the citizenry. We have a service to deliver and it must be delivered promptly, expeditiously with energy verve, enthusiasm and with results,” he stated.
I think .. is a loose cannon and the Commissioner and his officers will soon find out.A leash should be put on him and some old farmer who once owned a donkey should give the commissioner a BABOOCHET to put on his mouth. By the way he is also an impressionist. He…. Is he leading by example?
What ever Mr. Weeks said about the police force is true, it’s like ‘London Bridge’ is falling down. The blind cannot lead the blind, all we can see that is controlling and managing the police force now is the deaf and dumb, and the rest are blind, they need to be delivered. Many more officers want to leave, but because of their commitments they cannot leave, but when they do leave the police force will have square morons in round holes.
WHEN THE BOMB WILL BURST IN THAT POLICE FORCE THOSE IN THE TOP MUST FALL IF THEY CONTINUE IN THEIR CORRUPTION!!!!!!!!:@
Mr.Weeks don’t give up, God is on your side!!! The police force is now unable and disabled.
The palice force lacks integrity They a the same ones selling the drugs.accepting bribes and giving off their informants
@Anonymous: You are jealous cop!
That’s why your comment is so negative about the PRO!
Why should they fire him because he spell out the truth. Take the PRO JOB for yourself..and see who is selfish!
Was the police chief legally appointed?
How many got political appointments after elections?
What do we expect?
just one of the many acts of treason by French man
… Imagine what a transfer can do… Now that he has been transferred to Portsmouth he suddenly finds all issues with the same prosecutors…
I think Weekes should be immediately fired as the PRO of The Police Force. It is all about Weekes and his selfish ego.
This are the same Police Prosecutors who have been prosecuting for years at the Magistrate court. Check the records and see the amount of convictions at the Magistrate Court.
The Police Porsecutioon has nothing to do with matters at the High Court. The is in the hands of The DPP. If the is an insufficieny of evidence the DPP can send the matter back to the Magistrate Court and ask the further evidence be adduced.
Mr. Weekes take your transfer as a man and stop belly ackeing…. You went to India for nine moths … Did you share what you learnt in India at tax payers expense with your Police Force………We are still waiting…
You went to Jamaica for another three months…
You went to New Mexico for another month…
TAKE YOUR TRANSFER AS A MAN…
You are not fit to be PRO because clearly you do not understand your role. It can not always be about.
This man is just an impressionist. All talk but no action. You were at the court. Are you saying that because you are not a trained lawyer you to short changed the public.
@Envar:
Is the Morne Bruce Police School only to teach policemen how to use guns, brutalize people, and how to protect themselves? What are the guys with degrees in criminology doing? Are they employed at Morne Bruce? What courses are police taught at Morne Bruce before they graduate? All police trainees today should have at least a high school diploma and not an elementary education as was the case before. They need to take courses in English 101 and 102, public speaking, and so on at Morne Bruce. We should look at the Morne Bruce Police School as a Police College and not just a place to train men and women how to use guns. This is another college in Dominica that needs to be heavily invested in. Our police just can’t talk and don’t know how to talk. That’s bad. They need to read books and newspapers to uplift their minds. They need to watch good movies in order to develop police skills. Come on Mr PM, THIS IS ANOTHER COLLEGE TO INVEST IN with all the resources needed to make better policemen.
Senior police officers don’t have to go to university to know the basics but again like i have stressed before the government should spend more money in the area of defense.Prosecution courses are being offered in other Caribbean island so why not invest in the officers if you all want good results in court.Those police officer need proper training in order to execute their task properly.This is indeed strange coming from a senior officer of the force;i think he should use his influence if he has any to get funding to send these officers on proper training.
Finally Mr Weeks, what took you so long to admit the deficiencies and problems that are occurring in The Dominica Police Force which has short changed it citizens in carrying out justice, The Problems you have outlined are very serious, and blame should should not be put on the lower ranks, but the top Brass, the Leadership and the DPP, that is were the problem lies and you all have failed in fighting crime and carrying out justice. Crime fighting does not only means aggressively arresting people, it also means aggressively Prosecuting properly.
Before a case can be brought to Court, proper solid evidence has to be collected, so one of the main duties of the Police is to investigate and collect evidence, which then is presented to the Prosecutor to be used to Prosecute the case. The collection of evidence is very critical, that is what I think is lacking with the DPF, but then,the Prosecutor is the one who looks at the evidence to see if it is strong, and collected properly, if it is not, he should demand the officers go back and do a better job, not just go on with the case. With the Prosecutor, preparation is the key to fighting and winning cases, getting justice for the People and the State, not being lackadaisical.
Let us remember it is not only getting PHD”s that makes defecated Police Officers or defecated Prosecutors, yes, like any other profession, professional preparation is needed but it is not going to guarantee or make great Prosecutors and Police Officers, it more than that. I do Agree with Mr Weeks the DPF needs to look at the way it recruits officers.The DFP needs to modernize, crime fighting is an on going process and very important for the security and growth of the Country, it is a profession that should be taken seriously and great emphasis should be put on how we recruit the best and the brightest. Politics and Politicians should stay out. The process of obtaining Prosecutors should also be looked at, they should be accountable to the state and the People, knowing poor performances will not be tolerated.
Mr Weeks your speaking out like this and admitting the problems is something you should be commended for, although it is long in the waiting, Let us hope that this does not just reach deaf ears to your superiors, but to realize how serious the problem is. This also gives hope to the people who were let down by the state in their fight for justice and hope to see the system changed.
.
Mr. Weekes,
Great observation. I am a former police officer who joined the CDPF to make my contribution and what a proud day that was! I foresaw the need to be educated and formerly trained so I decided to go to university. I spoke to the higher heads and did not get any good feedback. I went to the US on vacation and checked out universities after which I informed the CDPF of my intention to further my education therefore I applied for study leave without pay. In TWO DAYS I received a negative email and fax with the same info. SORRY BUT DUE TO THE EXIGENCIES OF THE POLICE FORCE, WE ARE UNABLE TO GRANT YOU STUDY LEAVE WITHOUT PAY. PRESENTLY, WE ARE SHORT-STAFFED. I had no choice but to resign. I have now graduated and is still pursuing higher degrees while the folks responsible are still holding down those with so much potential. Magway sa. Other officers applied for vacation around that same time and had their requests granted.
Education is not the only factor keeping the police force back. The attitude of the big wigs have a lot to do with it. The duty SO’s must stop hiding the files of investigating officers and tampering with exhibits. I was such a victim myself and when i complained, I was told my mind was working overtime. Of course, I had never been high or senile and i knew for a fact that all of my files were handed in within two weeks of the incidents. Some of you know yourselves. There are some ordinary officers who partake in unethical practices as well, overshadowing those officers who are dedicated to their work. That’s sad. With all that blah, blah, blah, I am pretty sure that if I am to return, I would not be able to find a job. Please note that my degrees are directly related to law enforcement….
Today I will bestow upon you the title of ” Mister” since you have honestly recognize that the lack of training of our police is a problem, especially pertaining to police prosecutors, I must credit you for such honesty.
Nonetheless, and regrettable, I have to inform you that I personally do not believe that people who do not have legal training should be allowed to present any type of case in a court of law. Actually the police does not deal with civil matters, their focus is on criminal matters.
Every criminal caught retains an attorney to represent them, these lawyers are trained, and knows how to maneuver around the arguments of the untrained police officer who’s only knowledge of the law is what they read in some book at police headquarters.
A man who’s educational background might only be elementary, and in some cases secondary is compelled to encounter difficulties when faced with an argument based on a point of law presented by someone trained in the field of law.
Thus, it is my firm opinion that the prosecutor’s job belongs to someone who has gone to law school, and succeed as a lawyer; the prosecutor should in any event be a professional lawyer.
I know that we inherited the British system, based on the Magna Carter, and Common Law.
We know that the British used their high ranking officers to prosecute Black people in the Caribbean, however, I do not believe in the early days of the Magna Carter Police Inspectors were used in Britain to prosecute criminals.
I think the time has come for us to abolish the idea of using police inspectors in Dominica in the prosecution of criminals when the criminals are defended by trained legal professionals.
And for the many who have never heard of the Magna Carter, here is a brief below.
More than five-hundred and seventy-two years seperate the drafting of the English Magna Carta and the U.S. Constitution. Yet, most credit the Magna Carta, a cornerstone of British law, which being the first important forerunner of the American document.
Both documents provide that government act according to the law of the land, and that individual rights and liberties be protected under that law. The circumstances that resulted in the Magna Carta are, however, quite different from those that gave rise to the Constitution.
England’s King John had just failed in his effort to regain control of lands in France. The embarrassment of military defeat, combined with baronial resentment over the king’s effort to extract further revenues to fill the depleted treasury, resulted in a secret meeting of barons who agreed to petitition John to restore certain legal guarantees and liberties first articulated in the charter of King Henry I.
The barons vowed that they would take up arms against John if he refused to comply.
On June 15, 1215 John met with the rebllious barons at Runnymead, a meadow located on the Thames River, where he agreed to the charter presented by the barons (some sympathetic clergy also assisted in preparation of the document).
The Magna Carta verified the king’s [pledge to obey the law detailed within it, and provided a means whereby those not present could be informed of the agreement. John promptly backtracked on his to abide by the document, despite an enforcement clause that charged twenty-five barons with ensuring the king’s compliance.
The continuing conflect between the barons and John halted with John’s death in 1216. The importance of the Magna Carta lies in its establishment of the principle of the rule of law and some general principles mentioned in the document that were later adapted to change circumstances.
Most notably, Chapter 39 of the Magna Carta stats that “No free-man shall be taken, imprisoned, disseised [have one’s lands wrongfully taken], outlawed, banished, or in anyway destroyed…except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.”
The Magna Carta was designed to benefit the feudal aristocracy, and secondarily the church and freemen. It did nothing for the vast class of serfs who were denied access to the courts.
Eventually, however, certain general principles, such as those described in Chapter 39, came to be applied more broadly. In time, these and other values found their way into America’s governing documents.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Good one king ghetto…
Claude weeks in not what he making us think he is. but he is a very good conservationist so it shields him.. hypocrite…
Good synopsis my hypocrite friend…
The government should institute a prosecution department which should comprise of present qualified officers or persons who hold a law degree.
The police is always overshadowed by the legal fraternity and even if you have qualified police officers prosecuting you will still get the same results because while the lawyers work with the magistrates the police there fighting among themselves and playing the … game to get a chance or chances to go study course after course while some never see the airport far less the chance to sit in a university.
Morn Bruce and CDPF has produced some real talented prosecutors and the system has continuously shoved them aside. In some case and you would agree with me, certain officers spend too much time pussyfooting and not taking pride in their career and personal development.
You made some valid points, but you put yourself selfishly first that’s why the system is like that today. Hope you have discussed that with your commissioner before running your mouth.
peace
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Weeks. However, instead of training ordinary police officers, couldn’t new law graduates that have returned here, be hired within the police force for that specific purpose, and perharps eventually building up their careers to Chief Prosecutors or even DPPs.
I like his opinion, I tired ask myself the same question. Mr. weeks needs to bring that up to the commissioner and then to the police service commision who is responsible for setting standards. We need to make our society an education based society. there is always talk but know action and change for the better
A year or two i said in this medium you do not need to be a lawyer to be a magistrate. Some people said yes. So tell me is it not obvious when you have a lawyer on defence and as the magistrate and then a police with years experience as the prosecutor there is some distinct imbalance. I think there are police officers with the capability to have law degrees, forensic degrees, and other professional degrees that are needed to keep the DPF up to par with the world.
We need to change those old school mentality and realize being a police is aprofession and not just some job you do cause that is the only thing you can get.
@Jahson:
There Dominicans out there with PHD’s in Criminology who contacted the former Minister of Security Mr.Skerrit to train police officers in Dominica and after several run around nothing happen. The government have to start accepting the offers to help. Or else our a$$ is grass in DA
they need to split up the police force into departments one to handle crime drugs etc and make sure u have the right people in the right place ,.however they must be properly train in the field.i sugest that every body that have a criminal degree in dominica should be associated with the police force because they need then.
It’s a very good point and the judicial system is in need of some serious revamping.
Isn’t it possible to have lawyers on the force who work with and for the police in preparing cases etc.
There are too many short falls in the current system allowing law breakers to fall through the inadequate system. The lawyers are taking advantage of the ineptness of the police and running wild getting criminals off.
Let’s be serious about not only catching the criminals but ensuring that justice is done.
…WHAT A WASTE .YOUR WISDOM KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING IS NEEDED IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN DOMINICA. JUSTICE IS ABOUT TRUTH AND RIGHT NOT FRIEND AND COMPANY .
@Jahson: lol…Nice piece! I laughed my butt off
I know 3 people are here in Dominica with Criminal Justice degrees. Why is it that they have not gotten jobs that better suit their qualifications? Or at least have them as consultants? Why is it that Mr. Weeks has not sourced courses that they can do? Pin point the ones with the aptitude to learn and pay for the education. Ensure that they return to Dominica by letting them know they are being educated to serve their country. It is that simple! Grambling University offers a great Criminal justice Programme. Most Government workers are just lazy! They just sit on their butts and wait for the month to end to collect their wages.
I have seen the police and how they get mangled by defense lawyers in court. They do not take the time to go over their material before they have a case. how many of them work overtime to ensure that the job gets done.
Mr Weekes like to hear himself talk, and he uses some words, well if you not dictionary friendly, he is not speaking to you. LOL . Anyway, there is truth in what he says here. Years of expereince translates to qualifications in the Force,and it really should not be so. Not discounting work experience, but yes DA Police Force needs professional training in areas of crime investigation, prosecution, forensics and other areas. Mr. Weekes take it easy too, you can get a little too comfortable, you seem too entitled sometimes, if you know what I mean. Dare I say, you are really not judge Juror and Executioner, no pun intended!
being a lawyer a good one infact,one that make the innocent suffer knowingly actually is selling their soul to the devil
y do lawyers defend guilty people for,and have d innocent suffer ,dont they know hell is patiently waiting and they are 2 suffer more,.. lady is gonna rot in hell
Good to know the cops are not trained to handle little things but they want to get around big things.Every crime that take place in D.A they depend on the public for help.Look like the public are trained to solve crime but instead there name is being spread in all rum shop by the same professionals who are being paid to protect us.Something got to be done in this whole police service before it is to late.
That is so funny Mr. Weekes
People comign back with degree in criminal justice and they can’t find a job.