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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1985
+WHERE A COMPLAINT IS MADE TO THE EXAMINER, HE MAY TAKE STEPS TO ARRANGE FOR THE ACCUSED TO BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED AND TO REMOVE HIM FROM POLICE CUSTODY INTO THAT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
+AT THE SUBSEQUENT TRIAL THE VOIR DIRE WILL BE HELD IN THE SAME MANNER AS AT PRESENT.
THIS WOULD NOT PREVENT AN ACCUSED FROM CHALLENGING THE TRUTH OR ACCURACY OF ANY STATEMENT. BUT THE CHALLENGE WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE IN THE COURSE OF THE TRIAL AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE JURY.
THE COMMISSION CONSIDERED IT ESSENTIAL THAT THE EXAMINER SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT OF THE POLICE, THE JUDICIARY AND THE PROSECUTION AUTHORITIES. HE SHOULD BE BILINGUAL AND HAVE THE SAME DEGREE OF AUTHORITY AND PUBLIC STANDING AS A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
+AN EXAMINER COULD BE EXPECTED TO UNDERTAKE HIS DUTIES FOR UP TO THREE HOURS ON ONE DAY A MONTH SO A TOTAL OF AROUND 960 EXAMINERS WOULD BE NEEDED, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE COMMISSION BELIEVES THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EXAMINER SYSTEM WOULD ACHIEVE A NUMBER OF MAJOR OBJECTIVES:
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IT WOULD PROVIDE A MEANS OF MONITORING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES;
IT WOULD DISCOURAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM MALTREATING AN ACCUSED;
IT WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VOIR DIRE PROCEEDINGS AND CUT COURT COSTS AND TIME:
IT WOULD TEND TO DISCOURAGE FALSE ALLEGATIONS BY AN ACCUSED; AND
THERE WOULD BE AN ENHANCEMENT OF THE PUBLIC IMAGE OF THE POLICE AND OF THE IR MORALE.
THE REPORT CONTAINS A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER INTERCONNECTED PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE POWERS OF THE POLICE TO QUESTION PEOPLE, WARNING GIVEN TO ACCUSED PERSONS, AND THE RIGHTS OF SUSPECTS HELD
IN CUSTODY.
THE REPORT ALSO COVERS THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMET AGENCIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMISSION AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEE HAD CARRIED OUT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL LEGAL BODIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN GIVEN A COPY.
+IT WILL BE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DECIDE WHETHER TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSALS,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
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