The National Prosecution Service was launched in Kingstown on Wednesday under the theme “S.P.E.A.K. U.P. — It can be YOU!”, a rubric that emphasises the importance of witnesses to the criminal justice system.
The acronym “S.P.E.A.K. U.P.” means “Share Personal Encounters and Accurate Knowledge — Unleash Power”.
It is intended to encourage witnesses to testify in criminal matters even at a time when criminal elements and the society as a whole sometimes display aggression towards witnesses who testify in criminal matters.
“Today’s theme causes us to understand that witnesses are at the root of what we do at the office the DPP,” acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Sejilla McDowall told the launch.
“Without witnesses, our entire criminal justice system would crumble,” she said, adding, “The power lies in the hands of citizens to speak out.”
She said that to help the public deal with this fear, her office has embarked on a witness empowerment initiative.
McDowall told the gathering, which included judges, magistrates, police officers, lawyers, and members of the public, including students, that her office has developed a student-focused “Anti-Crime Student Engagement Programme”.
ACEPT encourages persons to “Talk. Tell. Testify” so that the youth of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) “can understand that we can cut this crippling fear”.
She noted that witness empowerment initiatives in SVG include having witnesses testify remotely, via video link in some cases.
Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne said “S.P.E.A.K. U.P.” was a fitting theme, the intent of which is clear.
“It must be noted, however, that it takes courage to speak up and to stand for truth and not to cower in fear at our own shadow as a consequence of having come forward and spoken,” she said.
The chief magistrate said this highlights the united effort needed by all stakeholders, in combating crime and ensuring that when persons speak up it will also mean they will be safeguarded and protected “especially against all kinds of unscrupulous persons who would endeavour to keep their mouths closed”.
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court judge, Justice Brian Cottle, a Vincentian assigned to the SVG circuit of the court, said the criminal justice system serves to demonstrate and defend the values that the people of SVG espouse.
He said it establishes the boundaries of what the nation considers to be acceptable conduct in the society.
“Without a proper functioning criminal justice system, we would be exposed to rule of the strong and subject to the whims of the wicked. There will be no protection of persons or property.
“Life would be, as Hobbes envisaged, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short,” the judge said.
He said it is important to remember that the vast majority of Vincentians are peaceful and law-abiding.
“There does exist a criminal element but we cannot allow that minority to control our social narrative. It should not be the citizenry which cowers in terror from the outlaw. The position must always be firmly reversed,” Justice Cottle told the gathering.
“Every day on the news and on the entertainment media, one can hear efforts being made to indoctrinate Vincentians to adopt the view that informers are to be abhorred. We’ve all heard the statements, ‘Informer ah fi dead’, ‘Snitches get stitches’.”
Justice Cottle said that if Vincentians allow themselves to buy into that mind frame, “we risk descending into the kind of society that we can see developing in some places not too far away.
“Our citizens must be encouraged, empowered and, indeed, rewarded for revealing criminal activity,” he said, adding that there must be that partnership between the public, the police and the prosecutors.
Justice Cottle also read the prepared remarks of Chief Justice, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Dame Janice M. Pereira, who was unable to attend.
The chief justice commented on the “staggering levels of crime plaguing the region” and highlighted the role of law enforcement and the judiciary in tackling crime.
She said it is often the job of the police to gather sufficient evidence and from the best sources for matters to proceed through the courts.
“This makes the role of witnesses crucial to securing convictions of accused persons,” Justice Pereira said, adding that the evidence of witnesses is often the backbone of the prosecution’s case and without reliable witness evidence, rates of conviction would plummet.
“When witnesses with relevant evidence fail to come forward, it weakens the justice system, it erodes the foundation of a safe and orderly society, it impacts every member of society and civilisation,” the chief justice said, adding that she is aware of these failures.
Justice Pereira said persons who work in the justice system must always remember that witnesses, including victims, are willingly subjecting themselves to relive what may be traumatic life event and do so in situations where they are scrutinised, questioned and disbelieved.
She said that empowering witnesses encourages them to come forward, adding that she is pleased to note that as part of the office of the DPP’s transition to an NPS, it is anticipated that the development of a witness code will be one of the deliverables.
The chief justice said that the best way to encourage witnesses to come forward is to empower them.
“I therefore encourage the Director of Public Prosecution and the National Prosecution Service as well as juridical officers and other stakeholders to be mindful of how we treat witnesses and be aware of the unfamiliarity with the justice system of these persons so that we could ensure that they are comfortable, that they feel safe as they assist in the administration of justice,” Justice Pereira said.
And, Attorney General Jaundy Martin, speaking on behalf of Prime Minster Ralph Gonsalves, said victims of crime are often “ordinary human beings” who are alive to the realities of life and are concerned about their own welfare and that of their loved ones.
“Their views, feelings and approaches to the crimes committed on them, sometimes years ago, often changes to reluctance and even hostility towards appearing as witnesses,” he said.
Martin said that to function efficiently, the witness must feel confidence in the ability of the state to protect his interest and particularly in the ability of the DPP’s office to effectively present and represent his testimony.
Martin said there are pending cases in which principal witnesses have been “eliminated”.
“The office of the DPP, however, has already demonstrated and will continue to demonstrate to gangsters, hustlers and transgressors that there is no space in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for their criminal conduct. The state is fully behind the office of the DPP and commits its limited resources to ensure that it eliminates crime and criminal activity,” Martin said.
The attorney general said the evolution of the Office of the DPP to the NPS is a demonstration that the state is committed to providing a safe and easy environment in which to live, raise a family, socialise and do business.
“Let criminals be warned that if there was a former environment in which crime was lucrative, this is no more. The legislative framework, the prosecutorial will and the commitment of the state stand in your way,” Martin said.
Speak up now is one thing but living after is a next
This is a very good initiative. However, in order for witnesses to come forward SVG must implement some legislative reforms to address vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. This would enable the prosecution to apply for special measures so that such witnesses can testify in court under a pseudonym or behind a screen to protect their identity
In a country where criminals have become embolden and acts of reprisals are common there needs to be better guarantees to protect witnesses in SVG than simply asking citizens to speak up. A witness protection program if not already in place can help in this process also. Further, our Courts must continue to maintain the high standard that is common throughout the Magistrates Courts in SVG.
The level of seriousness and professionalism in which the Magistrate Courts in St. Vincent and the Grenadines discharges it’s function is one that all Vincentian should be proud of. Many of their sentencing decisions are very well reasoned, in particular those of Rashon Browne and Ricky Burnett. Our courts has been built on on a system of strong values and morals, which must be upheld at all cost. The integrity of our Magistrate Courts exemplifies the highest standards of jurisprudence anywhere in the Region.
Well said but an accused person must face his accuser
I don’t see any real reasons for folks to come forward to SPEAK OUT because they are placed in a precarious situation immediately. Very often the police are the ones who give out information about the witness.
There can and should be a (24/7 365) phone number built into this process where folks can call in to report crimes. The police can then send officers to the scene to verify that a crime was committed. The caller can be from Mespo, G/town or Chato; it doesn’t matter as long as the crime is reported. The caller’s name must be kept a secret until the case is brought before the court. This will protect the identity of the person reporting the crime.
From my experience and from what’s opined in the entire dialog, nobody wants to report a crime. Folks are afraid of being pushed in the limelight to be abused by the culprits and their cohorts. The investigation should be the first thing done before the witness is called.
Then there is the other problem the DPP and the police faced when folks come forward and are not believed. The case that involved the police woman was tossed out by the DPP, so why would folks believe things have changed. The DPP has to rebuild some credibility so that folks can get involved. Today folks don’t trust the government and the police, the DPP and some lawyers are under its control. That’s why they are staying low!