Most people, on appointment to high public office, regale us with platitudes of commitment to getting the job done, of dedication to country, and expectations of full co-operation from relevant stakeholders, etc.However, on resignation (especially sudden) from such offices before completion of term, they apparently feel no responsibility to explain the reasons for such resignations.
I refer to the recent resignation of Professor Deosaran from the Police Service Commission and the very sudden resignation of Ms Gillian Lucky from the Police Complaints Authority and the just-as-sudden elevation to a judgeship in the High Courts.While, of course, one wishes her well in her career choice, there is a lingering feeling held by many citizens that we have lost something of value which cannot be equated with what we will get from the bench.
There exists a process in the appointment of judges. However, the Chief Justice, at the opening of the new law term, referred to the process in such broad terms that the public is still unaware of the specifics.Was Ms Lucky required to apply to fill a vacancy? Or did the Judicial and Legal Service Commission quietly enquire whether she was either interested or available, having previously served as a temporary judge?
As chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Ms Lucky brought such dynamism to the position as to fill the public with perhaps unwarranted expectation and hope that this commission, if none other, would deliver justice to people aggrieved by the alleged actions of police officers.On many occasions Ms Lucky herself lamented the lack of resources provided and the lack of co-operation she received from the police service in conducting her enquiries.
If her career change was based on any assumption that this situation would not change any time soon, then we are in a bad place.In the study of economics there is a concept known as "opportunity cost" which in a situation of scarce resources refers to the benefit that could have been gained from an alternative use of the same resource.Applying this concept to Ms Lucky's move it would seem that the country would pay a high price for the under-utilisation of this scarce resource.
Annette Singh
via e-mail