“Prosecutors have contributed to backlog, delay of cases” – Brutus

The amount of time it takes for criminal matters to be prosecuted in Guyana is often characterised by inordinate delays.
In many instances, cases are adjourned because of the prosecutors being unprepared or late for scheduled hearings, said Assistant Commissioner of Police, Calvin Brutus.

“I can safely say that [Police prosecutors] have contributed to the backlog and delay of cases. Lack of preparation, the unnecessary requests for adjournments because you are not prepared… cause delays in these matters and hence the backlog,” said the high-ranking Police officer.
While addressing Police prosecutors at a recent function, he said that earlier this month, a Magistrate complained to Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken that a Police prosecutor was not at court one hour after a case was scheduled to start with no communication or excuse.
“These things cause a hindrance in the matter… remember matters are scheduled and when prosecutors are absent, it will affect the schedule. If a matter is scheduled for 9am and you are not at court until 10am, you impede on the time when another matter could have been heard,” Brutus noted while advising prosecutors that punctuality is a key attribute they must have.
Another reason for adjournment, Brutus pointed out, is Police prosecutors being unprepared.
The senior Police officer is urging Police prosecutors to be mindful of their quality of work.
He told them, “Your presentation in court, is also something that you need to pay attention to. It does not come easy; it requires a lot of additional work…late hours preparing your case to present in court… doing the research to ensure that you represent the State properly.”
According to him, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been investing in the necessary resources to ensure that prosecutors put their best foot forward. To aid in legal research, Brutus said that every Court Superintendent’s Office now has access to the Lexis Nexis online portal.
Even though they would be required to research offences they are not familiar with such as smuggling and cybercrime, Brutus said Police prosecutors have the right tools and have been trained on the steps and forms to do this research to make their case well-prepared.
In Guyana, like in other jurisdictions, once a case is before the court it passes through different stages until a final judgement is given.
On July 8, 27 Police ranks graduated from the first-of-its-kind Elementary Prosecutors’ Course. The course is internationally recognised, as its course content, assessment, and grading process were vetted by ABMA Education — an awarding organisation in the United Kingdom (UK) offering OFQUAL regulated and professional qualifications in the UK and internationally.
The Elementary Prosecutors’ Course is aimed at equipping Police ranks with the necessary procedural and substantive laws related to criminal prosecutions. The purpose and objective of the training are to improve the efficiency of Police ranks in executing their prosecutorial duties.