UK: New chairman for PCA
01 September 1996
Peter Moorhouse was appointed as the new chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) at the beginning of October. Moorhouse, who had a career in industry prior to joining the PCA in 1988, has been acting chairman since the retirement of Sir Leonard Peach in December. After taking-up his new position Moorhouse promised more openness and better consultation with the families' of those who die in police custody.
In the past few months inquests on Richard O'Brien and Shiji Lapite returned verdicts of "unlawful killing" and an inquest on Brian Douglas recorded a "misadventure" verdict. In all three cases the PCA declined to take any action against the Metropolitan police officers involved. Needless to say, the new chairman's comments were regarded with considerable scepticism by relatives and friends of those who have recently died in police custody.
Police Complaints Authority press release 1.10.96, 3.10.96;