Merchant, Jeffers to give prosecutorial and investigative assistance

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Dr. Dennis Merchant (photo by Erasmus Williams)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 28TH 2010 (CUOPM) – A former Attorney General and a former Commissioner of Police have been assigned to give support in prosecutorial and investigative matters to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

The assistance of Dr. Dennis Merchant and Mr. Robert Jeffers to the Police Force, has been endorsed by Cabinet following a submission by Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett.

At Monday’s Cabinet Meeting, Mr. Nisbett intimated that a relook at the operations of the justice system is critical to confidence building and crime deterrence.

He listed that further improvement upon the prosecutorial capability of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution included a review of evidence procedures and legislation, improving the synergy between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and law enforcement officers, and revising the preliminary investigation procedures as all necessary in the fight against crime, and in bringing criminals to justice.

Cabinet endorsed the appointment of Dr. Dennis Merchant, the former Attorney General and former Director of Public Prosecution, and Mr. John Jeffers, former Commissioner of Police to give added support in prosecutorial and investigative matters.