Law enforcement review recommends term limits for DPP
A recent law enforcement review has recommended that there should be term limits for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The review suggests that the DPP should be appointed on a fixed-term contract, renewable at the discretion of the Governor. The current appointment is without a time limit.
The DPP can only be removed for “inability to discharge the functions of his or her office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or for misbehaviour.” The report suggests a fixed-term contract would be a better approach.
The current office holder, Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit, was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions on May 5, 2020, after acting in the role since December 14, 2019. The review also recommends that the contract should be for at least four years.
This would provide more security for the appointee and allow them to learn the job, develop their skills, and contribute fully to the organisation. The review also highlighted concerns about the high vacancy rate at the Office of the DPP, which was over 50 percent at the time of the review. This has led to significant delays in case management and the provision of prosecution advice.
The DPP has faced criticism for the low success rate in prosecuting cases, with many blaming the high turnover rate for the lack of experienced prosecutors. In addition, the review found that the process for appointing Crown Counsels, who are appointed on two-year fixed-term contracts, could be improved. The report suggests that a four-year contract would be more appropriate.
The review also recommends a better balance between permanent staff and those on fixed-term contracts. Currently, Crown Counsels on fixed-term contracts receive different benefits than permanent staff. The review’s recommendations are designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the DPP’s Office and the wider criminal justice system in the BVI.
Implementing these recommendations would require constitutional change.
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I’m sorry but right about now she appears inept and incompetent, at best.
You should be sorry that she is so inept not sorry for saying the truth.
You have incompetence at the Head with staff resigning one after the next including senior staff and majority if not all are very disgruntled with their voices and concerns falling on deaf ears to the Board of Directors.
the DPP should hire lawyers with at least 5 years of private practice after admission to the bar.
No competent lawyer who has succeeded in private practice for 5 years who be prepared to work for this DPP. We need to replace her ASAP.
So it should be easy to dismiss her immediatley.
So the current DPP is there until retirement!
What a thing to tell the King.
I totally agree with that post being on a fixed term contract. Hurry up and implement please.
Thank you UK for this review. It’s about Time y’all find a way to switch out this dpp.
I just hope we don’t get anyone worst
Which might be hard to do considering her track record with serious cases
It’s not the UK place to remove no DPP. It’s nonsenses to put the DPP on any term contract for the Governor to decide. The Governor clearly can not handle his responsibilities. Look at the report about the police which is under him. Have a good look people. When the first DPP was there these rates in court didn’t existed, you know why? Because he was competent.
We always get it wrong in the BVI.
Can’t wait for the ink to dry on this one. Time for the DPP to pack up shop. Let’s get better representation NOW!!!
Because it’s like how you going to lose every case that land in front of you like so
I doubt that new legislation will effect tha ddp who is already hired on contract.
You all just have to find a way to get rid of her … self.
The public keeps accusing the current DPP of constantly losing. May i remind that they work with what they get, say from investigators, officers and the public. The problem starts further down, not with the DPPs office. Ofcourse ill lose all my baseball games as a pitcher, if the rest of my team isnt doing their part right.
You can always count on black people to tear down their fellow blacks. Ivied and conquer. The slave mentality thought by the white planters still run deep.
I am white and I believe that the DPP needs to be fired as a matter of urgency!
She got to go
yu are “white,” what color then is your teeth, milk or white clothes? Go some where else and live your lie. Stay out of BVI business.
Law enforecement is the problem. Some persons in there know what they are doing is wrong and just like Andrew they keep doing wrong because they are not being caught.