Police Complaints Auth
POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY ACT
CHAPTER 15:05
Current Authorised Pages
Pages Authorised
(inclusive) by L.R.O.
1–2 ..
3–6 ..
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Act
8 of 2006
Amended by
12 of 2011
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
L.R.O. UNOFFICIAL VERSION
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014
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Note on Subsidiary Legislation
This Chapter contains no subsidiary legislation.
Note on Section 53
Section 53 amends section 23(6) of the Domestic Violence Act, Chap. 45:56—
See Act No. 8 of 2006.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014
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CHAPTER 15:05
POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title.
2. Commencement.
3. Act inconsistent with Constitution.
4. Interpretation.
PART II
THE POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY
5. Establishment of the Authority.
6. Membership of the Authority.
7. Qualification of Director and Deputy Director.
8. Disqualification of Director and Deputy Director.
9. Tenure of office.
10. Gazetting of membership.
11. Acting appointment.
12. Revocation of appointment.
13. Resignation.
14. Remuneration.
15. Location.
16. Staff.
17. Funding.
18. Auditing of accounts.
19. Independence of the Authority.
20. Annual report.
PART III
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY
21. Functions of the Authority.
22. Powers of the Authority.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS—Continued
SECTION
23. Co-operation with any person or body.
24. Exercise of the functions of the Authority.
25. Power to appoint specialists.
PART IV
INVESTIGATIONS
26. Investigation on receipt of complaint.
27. Limitation to make complaint.
28. Making or continuing of complaint on behalf of complainant.
29. Recording of complaint.
30. Preliminary investigation.
31. Entry to public premises.
32. Entry to private premises.
33. Application to High Court.
PART V
HEARINGS
34. Hearings.
35. Public and private hearings.
36. Evidence and procedure.
37. Hearings in relation to judicial proceedings.
38. Right of appearance of interested person.
39. Legal representation.
40. Power to summon witnesses.
41. Examination and cross-examination of witness.
42. Legal assistance for witnesses.
43. Financial assistance for witnesses.
44. Conclusion of investigation.
PART VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
45. Contempt of the Authority.
46. Punishment of contempt.
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SECTION
47. Offences.
48. Effect of Act on the powers of the Commission and the
Commissioner.
49. Liability for proceedings.
50. Regulations.
51. Transitional.
52. Repeal.
53. Amendment to written law.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
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CHAPTER 15:05
POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY ACT
An Act to establish an independent body to investigate
criminal offences involving police officers, police
corruption and serious police misconduct and for other
related matters.
*[ASSENTED TO 13TH APRIL 2006]
WHEREAS it is enacted inter alia by subsection (1) of section 13
of the Constitution that an Act to which that section applies may
expressly declare that it shall have effect even though
inconsistent with sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution and, if any
such Act so declare, it shall have effect accordingly:
And whereas it is provided by subsection (2) of the said
section 13 of the Constitution that an Act to which this section
applies is one the Bill for which has been passed by both Houses
of Parliament and at the final vote thereon in each House has
been supported by the votes of not less than three-fifths of all the
members of that House:
And whereas it is necessary and expedient that the
provisions of this Act shall have effect even though inconsistent
with sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution:
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. This Act may be cited as the Police Complaints
Authority Act.
2. This Act came into operation on 1st January 2007.
3. This Act shall have effect even though inconsistent with
sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution.
*See section 2 for the date of commencement.
8 of 2006.
Preamble.
Short title.
Commencement.
[329/2006].
Act inconsistent
with
Constitution.
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4. In this Act—
“Authority” means the Police Complaints Authority established
under section 5;
“Commission” means the Police Service Commission
established under section 122(1) of the Constitution;
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Police;
“complaint” includes an allegation of—
(a) police corruption;
(b) serious police misconduct;
(c) the commission of a criminal offence by a
police officer; or
(d) the commission of a criminal offence by any
other person but involving a police officer,
which is submitted to the Authority;
“financial institution” means a company which carries on or
used to carry on all or any aspect of banking business or
business of a financial nature as defined in the Financial
Institutions Act;
“Minister” means the Minister to whom responsibility for the
Police Complaints Authority is assigned;
“police corruption” means an act done with an intent that is
illegal, dishonest or fraudulent or failing to act in order to
receive an advantage or reward whether financial or
otherwise, personally or for another person, group or
organisation, or exercising a legitimate discretion for
improper reasons, or employing illegal means to achieve
approved goals;
“police officer” means—
(a) a member of the Police Service;
(b) a member of the Municipal Police Force,
established under the Municipal Corporations
Act, and
Interpretation.
[12 of 2011].
Ch. 79:09.
Ch. 25:04.
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(c) a member of the Special Reserve Police,
established under the Special Reserve
Police Act,
at the material time;
“Police Service” means the Police Service established under
section 4 of the Police Service Act;
“serious police misconduct” means the commission of a
disciplinary offence under the Police Service Regulations
which the Authority considers to be so serious as to bring
the Police Service into disrepute;
“Service Commission” means a Service Commission established
under the Constitution.
PART II
THE POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY
5. (1) There is established a body to be known as the
Police Complaints Authority.
(2) The Authority shall be a corporate body.
6. (1) The Authority shall comprise a Director and a
Deputy Director to be appointed by the President on the joint
advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
(2) In the event the Prime Minister and the Leader of the
Opposition cannot agree on the joint advice, the President shall
appoint the Director and the Deputy Director, after consultation
with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
7. A person appointed by the President as Director or Deputy
Director shall have at least ten years experience as an Attorney-at-
law, and may be appointed from within the Commonwealth.
8. No person is qualified to be appointed as Director or
Deputy Director if that person—
(a) is a member of—
(i) the Senate;
(ii) the House of Representatives;
Ch. 15:03.
Ch: 15:01.
Sub. Leg.
Establishment
of the
Authority.
Membership of
the Authority.
Qualification of
Director and
Deputy
Director.
Disqualification
of Director and
Deputy
Director.
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(iii) the Tobago House of Assembly;
(iv) a Municipal Corporation; or
(b) was at any time during the three years preceding
appointment—
(i) a member of the Senate;
(ii) a member of the House of
Representatives;
(iii) a member of the Tobago House of
Assembly;
(iv) a member of a Municipal Corporation; or
(v) a candidate for election to membership of
the House of Representatives, the Tobago
House of Assembly or a Municipal
Corporation; or
(c) is or was a police officer;
(d) is an undischarged bankrupt;
(e) has at any time had a record of a criminal
conviction for any indictable or summary
offence which carries a term of imprisonment of
three or more months; or
(f) has been dismissed from the Public Service.
9. (1) The appointment of a person as the Director or
Deputy Director shall, subject to this Act, be for a period not less
than three years, but not exceeding five years.
(2) A person mentioned in subsection (1) is eligible for
reappointment.
10. The first appointment of the Director and Deputy
Director and every subsequent appointment shall be published
by the Authority in the Gazette.
11. Where the Director or Deputy Director is absent or
unable to perform his duties, the President may, in accordance
with sections 6 and 7 appoint another person to act in the place
of the Director or Deputy Director.
Tenure of
office.
Gazetting of
membership.
Acting
appointment.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
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12. The President, acting in his discretion, may revoke the
appointment of a person as Director or Deputy Director where he
is satisfied that the person—
(a) has, without reasonable excuse, failed to carry
out his prescribed duties for a continuous period
of three months;
(b) is unable to discharge the functions of his
office, whether arising from infirmity of mind
or body or any other cause, or for
misbehaviour; or
(c) has become a person who would be disqualified
for appointment pursuant to section 8.
13. (1) The Director or Deputy Director may resign from
his office, by instrument in writing addressed to the President.
(2) A resignation under this section takes effect from
the date of receipt of the instrument of resignation by the
President.
14. (1) The President shall determine the salary and
allowances to be paid to the Director and Deputy Director.
(2) The salary and allowances of the Director and
Deputy Director shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund.
(3) The salary and allowances payable to the holder of
an office to which subsection (1) applies and his other terms of
service shall not be altered to his disadvantage after his
appointment.
15. (1) The Authority shall be located in the place provided
for it by the Government and its address shall be immediately
published in the Gazette and in two daily newspapers in
circulation in Trinidad and Tobago and thereafter such
publication shall be made annually.
(2) Where the address of the Authority is changed, the
new address shall be published in accordance with subsection (1).
Revocation of
appointment.
Resignation.
Remuneration.
Location.
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16. (1) The Authority shall be provided with adequate staff
for the discharge of its functions.
(2) The Authority shall employ such members of staff
as it requires for the performance of its functions on such terms
and conditions as are agreed upon between the employee and
the Authority.
(3) An officer in the Public Service may, with the
approval of the Authority and the appropriate Service
Commission, consent to be appointed on transfer to the service
of the Authority upon terms and conditions no less favourable
than those enjoyed by him in the Public Service.
(4) For the purpose of superannuation and pension
rights, an officer shall, upon transfer, be treated as continuing in
the Public Service.
(5) An officer in the Public Service may, with the approval
of the Authority and the appropriate Service Commission, consent
to be seconded to the service of the Authority.
(6) Part III of Chapter III of the Civil Service
Regulations shall apply to an officer who is seconded to the
Authority under subsection (5).
17. The funds of the Authority shall consist of such monies
as are appropriated to it by Parliament from time to time.
18. (1) The Authority shall keep an account of all its
financial transactions in accordance with General Accounting
Principles and Practices, and ensure that all payments out of the
funds of the Authority are duly authorised.
(2) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited
annually by the Auditor General or by an auditor authorised by
him for such purpose.
19. The Authority is not subject to the direction or control of
any other person in the performance of its functions under
section 21 and the exercise of its powers under section 22.
Staff.
Ch. 23:01.
Funding.
Auditing of
accounts.
Independence
of the
Authority.
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20. (1) The Authority shall, within three months of the end
of each financial year, submit to the Minister in respect of the
preceding financial year—
(a) an annual report of its activities in the preceding
financial year; and
(b) a copy of the audited statement of accounts and
such information relating to the operation of the
Authority as the Minister may require.
(2) The Minister shall cause a copy of the annual report
and audited statement to be laid in Parliament within three months
of its receipt and if Parliament is not then in session, within twenty-
eight days of the commencement of its next session.
(3) The Authority may on its own initiative or at the
request of the Minister conduct an investigation and submit a
special report to the Minister who shall cause it to be laid in
Parliament in accordance with subsection (2).
PART III
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY
21. (1) The functions of the Authority are to—
(a) investigate criminal offences involving police
officers, police corruption and serious police
misconduct;
(b) undertake inquiries into, or audits of, any aspect
of police activities for the purpose of
ascertaining whether there is police corruption
or serious police misconduct or circumstances
that may be conducive to both;
(c) monitor an investigation conducted by any
person or authority in relation to any matter
mentioned in paragraph (a) and to undertake
audits of those investigations;
(d) advise the Police Service and other public
authorities on ways in which police corruption
and serious police misconduct may be
eliminated;
Annual report.
Functions of
the Authority.
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(e) gather evidence that may be admissible in the
prosecution of a person who is not a police
officer for a criminal offence in relation to the
Police Service and to furnish that evidence to
the Director of Public Prosecutions, or where an
authority outside the State is concerned, the
Attorney General;
(f) gather evidence that may be used in the
investigation of serious police misconduct and
furnish such evidence to the Commissioner or
the Commission for appropriate action;
(g) gather evidence that can be used in the
prosecution of a police officer involved in a
criminal offence and furnish such evidence to
the Director of Public Prosecutions; or
(h) perform any other functions that may be
conferred on it by any other written law.
(2) Evidence referred to in subsection (1)(e) and (f)may
be accompanied by any observation that the Authority thinks
appropriate together with recommendations as to what action the
Authority considers should be taken in relation to the evidence.
(3) If the Authority obtains any information in the
course of an investigation under subsection (1) relating to the
exercise of the function of a public body or authority, other than
the Integrity Commission or Ombudsman, the Authority may
furnish the information to the Minister responsible for the body
or authority together with such recommendations relating to the
exercise of the function of that body or authority as the Authority
thinks appropriate.
(4) Notwithstanding any written law to the contrary,
information and evidence obtained by the Authority in the
performance of its function under this Act is confidential.
(5) Subsection (4) shall not apply if the information and
evidence is required for proceedings under the Official Secrets
Act, 1911, for perjury or contempt of the Authority.
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22. (1) For the purpose of the performance of its functions
and subject to this Act, the Authority has the powers of a
commission of enquiry established under the Commissions of
Enquiry Act as if it were a commission of enquiry for the purpose
of that Act.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Authority shall
also have the power to require—
(a) any person to produce, within a specified time,
all books, records, accounts, reports, data,
stored electronically or otherwise, or any other
documents relating to the functions of any
public body or authority;
(b) any person, within a specified time and in
writing, to provide any information or to answer
any question which the Authority considers
necessary in connection with any investigation
which the Authority is empowered to conduct
under this Act; and
(c) that any facts, matters or documents relating to
a complaint, be verified or otherwise
ascertained by oral examination of the person
making the complaint.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where, in the
course of an investigation, the Authority is satisfied that there is
a need to expand its investigations, it may exercise the following
powers:
(a) require any person to furnish a statement in
writing—
(i) enumerating all real or personal property
belonging to or possessed by that person
in Trinidad and Tobago or elsewhere, or
held in trust for him, and specifying the
date on which each property was
acquired, the consideration paid and
whether it was acquired by way of
purchase, gift, inheritance or otherwise;
Powers of the
Authority.
Ch. 19:01.
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(ii) specifying any monies or other property
acquired in Trinidad and Tobago or
elsewhere or sent out of Trinidad and
Tobago by him or on his behalf during a
specified period;
(b) require any person to furnish, notwithstanding
any other law to the contrary, all information in
his possession relating to the affairs of any
person being investigated and to produce or
furnish any document or copy of any document
relating to the person under investigation and
which is in the possession or under the control
of the person required to furnish the
information;
(c) require the manager of any financial institution,
in addition to furnishing information specified
in paragraph (b), to furnish any information or
certified copies of the accounts or the statement
of accounts at the financial institution of the
person being investigated.
(4) A person who fails or refuses to disclose any
information or to produce any document under this section
commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine
of fifty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for five years.
23. In the performance of its functions, the Authority may, as
it thinks appropriate—
(a) work in co-operation or in consultation with; or
(b) disseminate intelligence and information to,
any person or body, whether public or private.
24. The powers and functions of the Authority are
exercisable by—
(a) the Director or Deputy Director personally;
(b) any person not being a police officer appointed
by the Authority to conduct an investigation; or
Co-operation
with any person
or body.
Exercise of the
functions of the
Authority.
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(c) any other person acting under and in
accordance with the general or special
instructions of either the Director or Deputy
Director.
25. The Authority may, on such terms and conditions as it
thinks fit, engage any suitably qualified person to provide it with
services and assistance in the exercise of its functions.
PART IV
INVESTIGATIONS
26. The Authority may conduct an investigation on its own
initiative or on the basis of a complaint made by a member of the
public, a police officer, a public body or authority, or the
appropriate unit or a disciplinary tribunal of the Police Service.
27. (1) A complaint shall not be entertained under this Act
unless it is made to the Authority not later than one year from the
day on which the person making the complaint first had notice of
the matter alleged in the complaint.
(2) The Authority may conduct an investigation
pursuant to a complaint not made within the period prescribed in
subsection (1) if it considers that there are special circumstances
which make it proper to do so.
28. Where a person—
(a) makes a complaint under this Act and dies;
(b) makes a complaint and for any reason is unable
to act for himself after making the complaint; or
(c) could have made a complaint but died before
doing so or is for any reason unable to act for
himself,
the complaint may be made or continued by his personal
representative, a member of his family or other individual
suitable to represent him.
Power to
appoint
specialists.
Investigation on
receipt of
complaint.
Limitation to
make
complaint.
Making or
continuing of
complaint on
behalf of
complainant.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
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29. The Authority shall ensure that a permanent record of
every complaint, the proceedings and the result of the
investigation are maintained.
30. (1) The Authority may conduct a preliminary
investigation to assist it to identify whether or not there is
conduct to justify a more complete investigation under the Act,
or refer it to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Commissioner
or the Commission for further action.
(2) The Authority may, in considering whether or not to
conduct, continue or discontinue an investigation have regard to
such matters as it thinks fit including whether or not in its view—
(a) the subject matter of the investigation is trivial;
(b) the conduct or matter concerned occurred at too
remote a time to justify an investigation; or
(c) the complaint is frivolous, vexatious or not
made in good faith.
(3) Where the Authority has decided to refer a matter
under subsection (1) or to discontinue a matter under
subsection (2), the Authority shall, in writing, immediately
inform the person who made the complaint of the decision taken
and the reason for that decision.
31. (1) For the purpose of an investigation, the Authority
may—
(a) enter and inspect any premises occupied or used
by a public body or authority in that capacity;
(b) inspect any document or other thing in the
premises; and
(c) take copies of any document in the premises.
(2) A public body or authority shall make available to
the Authority such facilities as are necessary to enable the
powers conferred by this section to be exercised.
(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply where—
(a) under any law an objection to production of the
document or other thing may be upheld;
Recording of
complaint.
Preliminary
investigation.
Entry to public
premises.
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(b) public interest may justify an objection to an
inspection of the premises;
(c) a public or local authority or public official
acting in such capacity enjoys a privilege under
any law; or
(d) under any law, any duty of secrecy or other
restriction on disclosure applies to a public
authority or public official.
32. (1) Where the Authority wishes to enter private
premises in furtherance of an investigation it shall first get a
search warrant from a Court.
(2) For the purpose of an investigation, the Authority
may—
(a) enter and inspect any premises occupied or used
by a person;
(b) inspect any document or other thing in the
premises; and
(c) take copies of any document in the premises.
(3) A person shall make available to the Authority such
facilities as are necessary to enable the powers conferred by this
section to be exercised.
33. The High Court may, on an application made by the
Authority, make any order, issue such writs and give such
directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of
enforcing this Act.
PART V
HEARINGS
34. The Authority may hold hearings for the purpose of
conducting an investigation.
35. The Authority may hold its hearings in public or in
private, or partly in public and partly in private as it considers
appropriate.
Entry to private
premises.
Application to
High Court.
Hearings.
Public and
private
hearings.
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36. (1) When conducting a hearing the Authority is not
bound by the rules or practice of evidence and can inform itself
on any matter in such manner as it considers appropriate.
(2) The Authority is required to exercise its functions
with as little formality and technicality as is possible.
(3) The Authority may require hearings to be conducted
with as little emphasis on an adversarial approach as is possible
and wherever possible, written submissions may be presented.
37. Where the subject matter of a complaint or an
investigation is the subject matter of judicial proceedings, the
Authority shall not commence or continue an investigation
pending the final outcome of those proceedings.
38. Where a person satisfies the Authority that he has a
substantial or direct interest in the subject matter of a hearing, the
Authority may authorise him to appear at the hearing or a
specified part of the hearing.
39. (1) The Authority may allow a person giving evidence
at a hearing to be represented by an Attorney-at-law.
(2) The Authority may appoint an Attorney-at-law to
assist it at a hearing.
40. (1) The Authority may summon a person to appear at a
hearing at a time and place named in the summons—
(a) to give evidence; or
(b) to produce such documents or other things as
are referred to in the summons.
(2) The Authority may require a person appearing at a
hearing to give evidence on oath or affirmation.
(3) A witness who has been summoned to attend
before the Authority shall appear and report from day to day
unless he is excused from attendance or until he is released
from further attendance.
Evidence and
procedure.
Hearings in
relation to
judicial
proceedings.
Right of
appearance of
interested
person.
Legal
representation.
Power to
summon
witnesses.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
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(4) No person shall be compelled for the purpose of an
investigation under this Act to give any evidence or produce any
document which he could not be compelled to give or produce in
judicial proceedings.
41. (1) A person authorised or required to appear at a
hearing or his Attorney-at-law may, with the leave of the
Authority, examine or cross-examine any witness on any matter
that the Authority considers relevant.
(2) An Attorney-at-law appointed by the Authority to
assist it may examine or cross-examine any witness on any
matter that the Authority considers relevant.
(3) A witness examined or cross-examined under this
section has the same protection and is subject to the same
liabilities as a witness in judicial proceedings.
42. (1) A witness who appears or is about to appear before
the Authority may apply for legal assistance.
(2) The Authority may approve the grant of legal
assistance to the applicant if it is satisfied that this is appropriate,
having regard to—
(a) any injustice to the witness if assistance is
declined;
(b) the significance of the evidence that the witness
is giving or appears likely to give; and
(c) any other relevant matter.
43. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a witness who appears
before the Authority may be paid such reasonable expenses as
may be determined by the Authority.
(2) The Authority may pay such reasonable expenses to a
witness if it is satisfied that this is appropriate, having regard to—
(a) the prospect of hardship to the witness if
assistance is declined; and
(b) any other relevant matter.
Examination
and cross-
examination of
witness.
Legal
assistance for
witnesses.
Financial
assistance for
witnesses.
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L.R.O.
44. (1) Upon the conclusion of an investigation, the
Authority shall make an assessment and form an opinion as to
whether or not the subject matter of a complaint—
(a) has or may have occurred;
(b) is or may be occurring;
(c) is or may be about to occur; or
(d) is likely to occur.
(2) The Authority may, based on its assessment or
opinion under subsection (1), recommend whether consideration
should be given to prosecute any person for a criminal offence or
invoke disciplinary proceedings against any person, and make
recommendations for the taking of any other action that the
Authority considers appropriate.
(3) The Authority shall, in writing, immediately inform
the person who made the complaint and the police officer
concerned of the action taken and the reasons for such action.
PART VI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
45. (1) A person who—
(a) having been served with a summons to attend
before the Authority as a witness, fails to attend;
(b) is a witness and who departs from a hearing
without the authority of the person holding
the hearing;
(c) having been served with a summons to produce
any document or other thing in his custody or
control, fails to do so;
(d) being called or examined as a witness before the
Authority, refuses to be sworn or to make an
affirmation or refuses or otherwise fails to
answer any question put to him;
(e) misbehaves before the Authority;
(f) interrupts the proceedings of the Authority;
Conclusion of
investigation.
Contempt of
the Authority.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014
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22 Chap. 15:05 Police Complaints Authority
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
(g) obstructs or attempts to obstruct the Director, a
Deputy Director or a person acting with the
authority of the Authority in the exercise of any
lawful function;
(h) publishes or discloses, or permits or allows to
be published or disclosed, any evidence given
before the Authority or any of the contents of a
document produced at a hearing which the
Authority has ordered not to be published or
disclosed; or
(i) does any other thing that, if the Authority were
a Court, would be contempt of Court,
commits a contempt of the Authority.
(2) Subsection (1)(h) does not apply to an officer of the
Authority in the lawful performance of his functions.
46. (1) A contempt of the Authority may be dealt with in
accordance with this section.
(2) The Director may present to the High Court, a
certificate setting out the details which the Director considers
constitute the contempt.
(3) Where an offence is certified under subsection (2),
the Court may inquire into the matter and after hearing any
witness who may be produced against or on behalf of the person
charged for the offence, and after hearing any statement that may
be offered in defence, deal with him in any manner in which the
Court could deal with him if he had committed the like offence
in relation to the Court.
(4) Where a person is punished under this section, he is
not relieved from complying with a summons issued by the
Authority, and the Authority may enforce his attendance by
a warrant.
(5) A person is not liable to be punished for contempt of
the Authority if he establishes that there was a reasonable excuse
for the act or omission concerned.
Punishment of
contempt.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
Police Complaints Authority Chap. 15:05 23
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L.R.O.
47. A person who—
(a) obstructs an officer or member of staff of the
Authority in the exercise of the functions or
powers of the Authority;
(b) procures false testimony of a witness;
(c) knowingly gives false or misleading evidence at
a hearing;
(d) bribes a witness;
(e) in any way causes a disadvantage to a person
because that person appeared as a witness
before the Authority;
(f) impersonates an officer or member of staff of
the Authority;
(g) assaults an officer or member of staff of the
Authority in the performance of his functions;
(h) without lawful justification or excuse—
(i) hinders or resists the Authority or any
other person in the discharge of functions
under this Act;
(ii) fails to comply with any lawful
requirement of the Authority or any other
person under this Act; or
(iii) discloses confidential information;
(i) knowingly misleads the Authority or an officer
of the Authority by giving false information; or
(j) knowingly makes or causes to be made, a false
complaint,
commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine
of fifty thousand dollars and to imprisonment for five years.
48. (1) Subject to subsection (2), nothing in this Act
prevents or affects the exercise of the functions and powers of
the Commission and the Commissioner under any law.
(2) Where the Commission or the Commissioner
receives information or a complaint in relation to any of the
Offences.
Effect of Act on
the powers of
the
Commission
and the
Commissioner.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
24 Chap. 15:05 Police Complaints Authority
LAWS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
matters mentioned in section 21(1)(a), the Commission or the
Commissioner shall immediately inform the Authority of the
investigation in writing and the Authority shall have the sole
responsibility for dealing with those matters.
49. (1) Subject to subsection (2), no matter or thing done by
the Authority or any member of or any person acting under the
authority of the Authority shall, if the matter or thing was done
in good faith for the purpose of giving effect to the purpose of
this Act or any other written law, subject the member or person
so acting personally to any action, liability, claim or demand.
(2) In proceedings for defamation in relation to any
hearing or other matter connected with the exercise of the
functions of the Authority under this Act, there is a defence of
absolute privilege for a publication to or by the Authority or an
officer of the Authority as such officer.
50. The Minister may make Regulations to give effect to the
purpose of this Act.
51. (1) Where before the date of commencement of this Act
any complaint has been received or matter commenced by or under
the authority of the Police Complaints Authority or the Police
Service under the Police Complaints Authority Act, (repealed by
this Act and hereinafter referred to as “the former Authority”), that
complaint, matter or thing shall be dealt with and completed by the
Authority as if it were received or commenced under this Act.
(2) Members of the Police Complaints Authority
appointed under the former Authority shall continue in office
in accordance with their respective instruments of
appointment subject to the provisions of termination and
removal under this Act.
(3) Any arrangement, contract, or document prepared,
made or executed by or on behalf of the former Authority shall
continue and is deemed to have been prepared, made or executed
by the Authority pursuant to this Act.
Liability for
proceedings.
Regulations.
Transitional.
17 of 1993.
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
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L.R.O.
(4) All rights, obligations and liabilities of the former
Authority immediately before the date of commencement of this
Act are, from that date, deemed to be the rights, obligations and
liabilities of the Authority.
(5) In any written law and in any document, unless the
context otherwise requires, any reference to the former Authority
shall be construed as a reference to the Authority.
(6) Any monies standing to the account of the former
Authority in any financial institution shall vest in and belong to
the Authority from the date of commencement of this Act.
52. The Police Complaints Authority Act, 1993 is repealed.
*53.
This section has been omitted as it applies to an
amendment to another Act which has been included
therein.
*See Note on page 2.
Repeal.
17 of 1993.}
UNOFFICIAL VERSION
UPDATED TO DECEMBER 31ST 2014
MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS www.legalaffairs.gov.tt
