Cabinet has supported the re-establishment of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee (JCPC), paving the way for the appointment of a new Committee.

The appointment of the new Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee was confirmed by the Secretary of Justice Peter Graham.

Former justice secretary Terry Hagan has been appointed as the chairperson of the revived Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee along with Christina Iro and Edward Browne as members.

Graham said the appointments were for a two-year term commencing, Monday, August 12, 2024.

“As the JCPC has been dormant for the past 10 or so years, there is a considerable amount of work that needs to be done ahead of the Committee meeting to consider any referrals to the Committee. The MoJ (Ministry of Justice) also needs to review their own process,” Graham added.

Police have called for the reestablishment of a Juvenile Committee to address the growing backlog of juvenile cases pending in court.

Cook Islands Police media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt last week said juvenile cases were serious and one of them dated back to a year ago. 

Pitt said they would not be making any further comment on the Committee.

In January this year, Cook Islands Police Service questioned why the formation of the Committee was taking so long to be activated despite cases, including one dating back to July last year, lined up for its consideration.

Youths aged 15 and under are subject to a process where police submit applications to the JCPC for approval before they lay charges.

It was earlier reported that the JCPC was inactive for over a decade.

And last year, the Ministry actively sought public interest for members.

It is understood that two members are appointed by the Minister of Justice and the chairperson is appointed by the Solicitor General.

In prior versions of the legislation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Police had roles in appointing members of the JCPC.