LETTER OF THE DAY - Exercise more discretion in OCG investigations

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I must begin by indicating that I am not familiar with the protocol surrounding the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) and if it is a requirement for a disclosure to be made in the press in relation to the outcome of investigations undertaken by the OCG.

However, it is my view that the OCG, in forwarding the outcome of investigations to other government bodies such as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the director of public prosecutions (DPP), should do so discretely. I think this is necessary to maintain the integrity of the investigative process, in particular, when the recommendations coming from the report will demand further scrutiny by the JCF and DPP to conclude if charges are to be brought against any public servant who is the subject of the report.

It is my humble opinion that it does not augur well for the entire process to have respective subjects of any report emanating from the OCG's office to be 'rubbishing' its validity before entities such as the JCF and DPP have an opportunity to consider what is before them.

Reputational damage

Again, given the nature of such reports, it is likely that reputational damage can arise as a result of the findings. This makes it even more imperative that due care be taken to preserve the process of natural justice. Matters of this nature that will ultimately be ruled on by the court should be allowed the opportunity for ventilation through the established channels before being 'rubbished' in the public domain.

Additionally, elected officials who are the subject of any investigation carried out by the OCG, an office which is a creature of the Parliament in which he/she sits, should exercise the wisdom of restraint, respect for self, the OCG and, indeed, the very Parliament wherein the report will be laid.

FABIAN EMELIO SANCHEZ

fabechez@gmail.com