From the Governor’s Office

The Governor is aware of the Private Member’s motion debated in the Legislative Assembly on 25 April 2016 which called on the Governor to appoint an independent inquiry with a chairman appointed by the Governor and two members (Justices of the Peace) to determine the facts of what ensued on Sunday 6 March and the surrounding matters connected to the disappearance of five individuals at sea. In response to this motion the Governor has made the following statement:

“I join with the members of the Legislative Assembly to reiterate my sympathy to the family members of those individuals that were reported as lost at sea on 6 March 2016.

On 10 March I committed to an independent review of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service response to this tragic incident and I went on to confirm that a suitably qualified person has been appointed to lead this review and to report to me on its outcome. Earlier this month I was able to confirm that the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in the UK have agreed to assist the Cayman Islands in this regard. The MCA have appointed Coastguard Commander Andrew Jenkins to carry out this review which will commence later this week. I am satisfied that the MCA are a body that is independent of the Cayman Islands Government, the RCIPS, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Governor’s Office.

However, in response to the motion, I will invite the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to each nominate a Justice of the Peace to work with Commander Jenkins to ensure that the review is independent and meets the needs of the Cayman Islands Community. I remain committed to making the findings from this review public.”

A second motion called for the Governor to appoint an independent team to review the police methodology of administration and develop a succession plan for Caymanian Officers to lead the RCIPS within four years. In response to this motion the Governor says:

“The new Commissioner of Police will be best placed to conduct a review of policing methodology. I will request that the Cayman Islands Government support the incoming Commissioner with any resources needed for the Commissioner to add independent experts to his or her review team. Succession planning for Caymanian officers is already required in the new Commissioner’s job description.”