Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority

About Us

The Act to establish the Authority was approved by the Houses of Parliament in December 28, 2005 and the Authority became functional in September 2006 with the appointment of the Chairman by His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall, ON, OJ, Governor General of Jamaica. The Chairman of the Authority reports to the Governor General.

Source of Statutory Authority

Under The Police Civilian Oversight Authority Act, 2005 the primary functions of the Authority are to:

• Monitor the implementation of policy relating to the Force and its Auxiliaries
• Monitor the standard of performance of the Force and the Auxiliaries so as to ensure that internationally accepted standards of policing are maintained and to report thereon
• Conduct inspections of the Force and its Auxiliaries
• Monitor the management and use of financial and other resources of the Force and the Auxiliaries
• Perform other such functions as may be necessary for promoting the efficiency of the Force and the Auxiliaries

Under the act, the Authority in exercising its mandate has the power to:

• Require the attendance of the Commissioner of Police or any other Officer of the Force or Auxiliaries
• Call for and examine documents and records
• Receive representations from members of the public in relation to the operation of the Force and Auxiliaries
• Do all such things as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions under this Act

The Authority may, where it considers necessary, refer a matter to:

The Police Services Commission
The Minister of National Security
The Commission for the Prevention of Corruption or
The Commissioner of Police



Source of the Authority: The Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority Act