PROVINCE’S HIRING PRACTICES FOR PROSECUTOR QUESTIONED.
Proper process believed skirted in hiring for new prosecutor role
Handing out without competition a new position to exclusively prosecute sex crimes and offences involving children has caused an uproar within the Department of Justice, says a wellplaced source.
“We just don’t understand how you can establish a new position without a competition...people are livid, just shocked,” said the person, who requested anonymity.
“It’s the talk of the people in the justice system.”
Two weeks ago, Justice Minister Jordan Brown announced the new position as part of a concerted effort to improve support for victims of assault.
He said the current director of prosecutions, Cindy Wedge, will be assuming the role once a new director of prosecutions is hired.
“We are very pleased to have her expertise and experience focused on this important issue,” he said in a statement in the legislature on May 15.
“It is our hope that this additional Crown prosecutor will provide comprehensive assistance to all victims of sexual assault in their dealings with police and the courts.” However, the department source told The Guardian that concern has been raised that the proper process was not followed in filling the job.
The source referred to a section of the P.E.I. Civil Service Act which states if a vacancy or new position is not covered by the collective agreement, the Public Service Commission shall hold either an in-service or an open competition.
“It appears legally required that a competition be held,” said the source.
“And there were other qualified people,” the individual added, “who would have applied.”
Wedge said Tuesday any questions about the hiring practice should be directed to the Department of Justice and Public Safety. However, Brown said Tuesday there is a provision in the public service legislation that would enable the province as the employer to “take somebody in a key position like that and to move them into another key position” without holding an open competition.
“In this particular case, we’re looking at a very high-level position that’s creating and overseeing a new key policy objective of government, which is sexual assault prosecution,” said Brown, noting that Wedge has a significant history of involvement in those types of prosecutions.
Brown described Wedge as an ideal candidate.
“She’s been the director of prosecutions for a number of years in this province. And, you know, she really has that good policy background, a really solid courtroom legal base and an ability to interact with victims and folks that work in court services and victim services,” said Brown. “We think it’s a very good fit for us.”
On Monday, Wedge, who has been director of prosecutions for the past 14 years, said she is eager to tackle the new position.
In fact, the work will be far from unchartered territory for Wedge, who prosecuted sexual offences and offences against children when she first joined the Crown attorney’s office in 1990.
“I’ve done it before,” she said. “The substance of the work never bothered me. I have to say the resilience of people has always amazed me.” Wedge wants to help put in some structure and processes, noting there is a need of having a Crown prosecutor meet with alleged victims earlier in the process to help build a comfort level.
“You have to develop a bit of a rapport and a bit of a trust with the victim,” she explained. “We need a specialized sexual assault prosecutor.”