Background

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission was established by legislation in May 1993 and operates pursuant to Part III of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act, 1992. Its purpose is to provide members of the public with an independent forum for their complaints against Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers.

Section 29 of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act, 1992, provides for the appointment of a panel of twelve lawyers to serve the Commission as adjudicators with one being named as chief adjudicator.

As per Section 28 of the Act, the Commissioner will forward matters to the chief adjudicator when a public hearing is deemed necessary. The chief adjudicator will hear the matter him/herself or assign it to another adjudicator. Hearings are considered public; however if it considered by the adjudicator that for reasons outlined in Section 32 of the Act, all or part of the hearing may be held in private.

Mandate

The mandate of the panel of adjudicators is contained in the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Act, 1992. Hearings are to be conducted without delay giving full opportunity to all parties to present evidence and make representations. It is the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission to determine which matters are referred to the adjudicators for hearing.