Chief Executive Officer - Mrs. Otarah Byfield-Nugent
An Attorney-at-law by profession, Mrs. Otarah Byfield-Nugent assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Police Civilian Oversight Authority (PCOA) in 2019. Prior to assuming the role as CEO of the PCOA, she served as Legal Counsel/ Corporate Secretary for the Authority for some 9 years, providing legal advice to the then-CEO and the Board Members. Her work also entailed inspecting lock-ups across the island with a view to ensuring that the rights of persons in police custody are preserved and that the rules and regulations regarding lock-up administration are adhered to.
During her tenure at the PCOA, Mrs. Byfield-Nugent has participated in local and international conferences where she has garnered significant knowledge and experience in matters concerning oversight of the police. She also sat on the committee to review and replace The Constabulary Force Act with new legislation to transform the Jamaica Constabulary Force into a modern and professional service. She is currently enrolled in the US-based and accredited National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) programme, ‘Certified Practitioners of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.’
Mrs. Byfield-Nugent holds a Masters and Bachelors degree in International Relations from the University of West Indies (UWI), Mona; a Bachelor of Law degree from UWI, Cave Hill and a Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School, which is her professional qualification for admission to practice law in Jamaica.