Shirley

THE SUNDAY Gleaner has been reliably informed that the five-member Police Service Commission (PSC) has been reappointed for another year. The life of the commission expires today.

The Police Service Commission, which is headed by University of the West Indies Principal Professor Gordon Shirley, includes Jamaica Football Federation President Captain Horace Burrell, businessman Oliver Clarke, attorney-at-law Arlene Harrison-Henry and Anglican Bishop Robert Thompson.

The five were appointed by the Governor General, following an agreement which was reached between the Government and Opposition a year ago.

smooth process

But the reappointment of the five, this time around, appeared to have been quite smooth, unlike last year, when Government and Opposition clashed before Prime Minister Bruce Golding acceded to the demands of Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller.

It is understood that this is likely to be the largest such commission, under the current structure as a new format is being hammered out to take effect later this year.

It has been an eventful year for the Commission, which had been called on to hunt for a new police commissioner, after accepting the resignation of Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin in November of last year.

Highly placed sources say the PSC has selected Owen Ellington who has been acting in the position since last year.

However, differences over Ellingston's compensation package have reportedly stalled the official announcement of the new chief.

Section 129 (1) of the Jamaican Constitution states that: "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.

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com

Burrell and Thompson