ATTORNEY Terrence F Williams was yesterday sworn in as commissioner of the newly established Independent Commission of Investigations, a unit tasked with the responsibility of probing allegations of abuses against the citizenry by the police and other agents of the state.

The commission will effectively take over from the police the duty of investigating itself and will also probe allegations of abuse by warders and members of the military. 

Attorney Terrence Williams (left) displays his instrument of appointment delivered to him by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen upon his swearing in as commissioner of the Independent Commission of Investigations during a ceremony at King's House yesterday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

The Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) currently investigates cases of police shootings and allegations of abuse and corruption.

The body will also replace the Police Public Complaints Authority.

During a swearing in ceremony at King's House, Willliams -- who had been the British Virgin Islands' chief prosecutor for 10 years and an assistant director in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica -- vowed to earn the "respect and confidence" of the public by getting at the truth of each allegation.

"...The mission of this commission is to search for the truth whenever it is alleged that agents of the state have abused their awesome powers," Williams said.

However, the commission will not start investigating allegations of abuse any time soon as the department, with an allocated budget of $200 million, is without a staff of investigators, said Williams.

He said that the hiring and training phase was underway, and until that process is completed, the commission will supervise investigations into abuse that is currently being conducted by the BSI, he told reporters after the ceremony.