DPP tells court some cops overlooked, unrewarded for hard work

Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams says some police officers are often overlooked and unrewarded for their hard work.{{more}}

He identified prosecutor at the Serious Offences Court Inspector Adolphus Delpesche.

The DPP’s comments came on December 19, as the curtains were brought down on the October Criminal Assizes at the High Court.

Williams said he believes that Delpesche, who holds a law degree, is “the best prosecutor in the entire Eastern Caribbean.

“This is just not my assessment. This assessment is not based on my own knowledge and experience. I am talking about what I have heard from legal consultants who have traversed this region,” the DPP said.

“He’s a man of immense legal skill, of knowledge, of insight; he holds a law degree from an English university, but my Lord, he only holds a rank of inspector in the land of his birth.”

He said Delpesche is not the only police officer whose work is overlooked or unrewarded.

The DPP also expressed his disappointment that Corporal Rudolph Bartholomew is still a corporal.

The officer, with over 20 years experience, heads three other officers from the Criminal Records Office (CRO) at every assizes.

“He has demonstrated his knowledge, his skill and ability. He has sound administrative and leadership traits and has managed the system, sitting after sitting, year after year, yet still he has not been justly acknowledged and rewarded,” Williams said.

“Mr Bartholomew, who is a 20-year veteran in the Force, ought to be no less than an inspector. If you don’t want to make him an inspector, let him spend a month or two as a station sergeant and see if he doesn’t out perform those who have been sitting in the rank of station sergeant.”

He said that in the past, there were inspectors who have led CRO officers in the High Court.

“What I am saying is not new. In my view, the High Court, which is the premier legal institution in the land, demands such an appointment,” the DPP said.

Williams pointed out an instance where there was a witness from South Rivers who did not want to attend court.

He said Bartholomew said there was no transportation available and it would be difficult in getting the witness.

However, the case went on, the witness showed up and even attended the following day.

“I discovered what happened. There was a witness from the same area, who at the luncheon adjournment, … confronted corporal Bartholomew and said he wanted his passage money and his lunch because the witness yesterday tell him he get passage money and lunch.

“For this, I say hats off and thanks to officer Bartholomew and his CRO team. They did whatever to make sure the witness was here,” the DPP said.

Williams said it was “disgusting and ridiculous” that the CRO would be expected to function without the necessary support mechanisms.

A few years ago, the DPP said he had recommended that then CRO officer Constable Lee Archibald be promoted, but noted that he was transferred subsequently and still remains a constable.

He also spoke of Station Sergeant Kenneth Skerrit, who has served 32 years in the Force, spending the last 10 years at that rank.

“Those in the power of authority to do better must know this.”

The DPP commended Skerrit on his organisation of his officers and how he runs the court.

Meanwhile, Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle said certain police officers are commended at the end of every assizes, but for some reason, they are not given the recognition that they deserve.

Bruce-Lyle pointed out Station Sergeant Trevor “Buju” Bailey, who, he says, attends the assizes on his down time.

Bruce-Lyle recalled one time when Bailey helped in averting a “catastrophe” from happening.

“This was when a particular prisoner was in the process of attacking persons in the courtroom,” Bruce-Lyle said. (KW)