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appreciated that Counsel’s appearances at a Commission of Enquiry necessarily
impacts on the conduct and maintenance of their private practices. This
Commission of Enquiry entailed a very heavy workload for Counsel but all
Counsel appeared before us with regularity and punctuality. They displayed a
healthy commitment to the business of the Enquiry.
Acknowledgments
1.24.
We wish to acknowledge the assistance rendered to us during the
Enquiry by the persons mentioned hereunder at (i) to (v):
(i)
Office of the Public Defender (OPD)
During the short preparatory stage of the Enquiry, the Office of the Public
Defender (OPD) made available to Commission Counsel and the Secretariat all
the statements and documentation relevant to the Enquiry which were in their
custody. The OPD also assisted in locating and securing the attendance of
civilian witnesses. Counsel for OPD worked together with Commission Counsel
to assist in the exercise referred to para.1.12 and, for that initiative and
cooperation, we are most grateful.
(ii)
Commissioner of Police
The police officers provided by the Commissioner of Police as security at the
Conference Centre ensured that the proceedings of the Commission of Enquiry
were conducted in a safe and orderly environment. The JCF also organized and
managed the security arrangements for the Commission’s visit to Tivoli Gardens
on 24 April, 2015. Only once (2 December 2014) was it necessary to seek the
assistance of the JCF in maintaining order during the public hearings. On that
occasion, the police officers dealt with the matter firmly and swiftly.