Police Complaints Authority chairwoman Arlene Brock has been named the first ever Government Ombudsman.

Governor Sir John Vereker appointed Ms Brock (pictured) after an open and competitive process, a Government House statement said yesterday, and she will take up the position once the necessary office facilities are in place.

Applications for the $137,000 per year post closed in February. The Ombudsman, funded by the Bermuda Government, will act as a watchdog investigating complaints against Government and Government services. The service is free to the public and the Ombudsman will send a yearly report to the Legislature and the public in general.

However the Ombudsman is barred from making any changes which are binding to Government, instead making recommendations for change where it is considered needed. If those recommendations are not followed through, an embarrassing report can then be sent to the Legislature.The Ombudsman is also barred from investigating administrative actions taken by Cabinet Ministers or Junior Ministers, though Premier Alex Scott promised during the debate on the legislation last year that the handiwork on Ministers will be taken account of.

The power to amend the boundaries of who or what can or cannot be investigated is up to the Premier. The Ombudsman is responsible to the Governor and the Legislature.

The date for Ms Brock?s formal appointment by the Governor will be announced in due course. was unable to contact Ms Brock yesterday.