Basil Jarrett | MOCA gets high marks. But we can’t stop now

IT’S NOT every day that Jamaicans have something to be optimistic about when it comes to fighting corruption and organised crime, but in the last three weeks, the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), alongside its partners, has given us a reason to feel more reassured. From arrests and charges related to a $47-million smishing scam involving the National Commercial Bank to a $17-million fraud bust at the Human Employment and Resources Training Trust/National Training Agency (HEART/NSTA Trust), and multiple arrests in an organised fraud scheme involving employees and contractors at Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited, MOCA agents have been burning the midnight oil.

For far too long, the words ‘crime’, ‘fraud’, and ‘corruption’ have been like constant background noise, gnawing at our collective confidence in public and private institutions. But earlier this week, MOCA gave us another jolt of hope when it was named Jamaica’s leading anti-corruption agency in a national Don Anderson poll conducted between October and December last year. The agency achieved a class-leading 48 per cent approval rating and scored a remarkable 67 per cent in public knowledge and awareness levels, up from 14 per cent in 2021. Those latter numbers represent an impressive 53 percentage points leap. If there was ever a time for a short victory lap, this might be it. But note my emphasis on ‘short’. Despite MOCA’s ongoing focus, commitment and tenacity, Jamaica still struggles with its Corruption Performance Index score of 44, placing it 69th among countries overall.

JAMAICA IS WATCHING

Let’s put this into perspective. If corruption were a storm cloud, it would hover stubbornly over Jamaica, raining down frustration and cynicism among even the most optimistic of us. And so, against that backdrop, MOCA’s approval rating is more than just a statistic; it’s a symbol of progress, proof that with laser-sharp focus, integrity, and collaboration Jamaica can fight back. More importantly, however, the survey reveals something deeper: Jamaicans are watching. They care. And they expect results.

While MOCA may feel rightly proud of the recognition, there’s still much more to be done as the national security environment is still challenging. If you’ve been following the headlines recently, you know exactly what I’m talking about, as organised cyber and financial crimes have become perennial front-runners for newsmaker of the year. Criminals have become more sophisticated, employing new technologies, networking across borders, and are increasingly willing and able to use armed violence as a means to an end. The amount of money involved in these crimes is staggering, as are the complexities of these schemes. It’s enough to make your head spin.

THE RISE OF DIGITAL CRIMES

But the truth is, fraud and cybercrimes aren’t always petty crimes committed by lone wolf fraudsters. More and more, this is organised crime in all its digital glory – complex, sophisticated, and dangerous.

So what do we do about it? Well, the survey gives us a clue. Fifty per cent of respondents believe the most effective way to tackle corruption is through the conviction of offenders. This speaks to a simple truth: Jamaicans want accountability. They want justice. And they want people to be locked up.

MOCA understands this. But it also understands that it cannot do this alone. Partnerships are key to the agency’s success, as demonstrated by its ongoing collaboration with local and overseas law enforcement, government entities, and civil society groups. The message is clear – fighting corruption and organised crime is a team sport. But beyond the agencies and partnerships, there’s one other player that needs to come off the bench. That’s you. Yes, you reading this column and thinking, “What can I, an average Jamaican, do to fight corruption and organised crime?”

The answer: plenty.

THE CIVILIAN DIMENSION

You can start by supporting the agencies that are already on the front lines. Agencies like MOCA, the Financial Investigation Division, the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch and other units of the JCF; the Integrity Commission; Crime Stop; and the myriad of men and women in law enforcement who are putting in the work, day in and day out, to make Jamaica safer, fairer, and more accountable. Most of these entities have provided safe, anonymous mechanisms to enable you to report corruption when you see it. MOCA’s two-year-old Tip Hotline 888-MOCA-TIP has already proven its worth; and the granddaddy of them all, Crime Stop, continues its impressive record of never having a source compromise in its 35-year history.

CITIZEN ACTION

You see, crime and criminality thrive in silence. It thrives when we turn a blind eye, dismissing it as “just how di ting set”. But when we speak up, when we hold each other accountable, and when we support the agencies fighting the good fight, corruption begins to lose its grip.

This year, as MOCA celebrates its 10th anniversary, the 48 per cent approval rating is a good start. But there’s a lot more for the agency to do to improve those numbers. For one, it must continue to build capacity in the areas of specialised training, in particular, cyber. It must also continue to embrace evolving technologies that enhance its intelligence and investigative competencies. And it must continue to build out and enhance its already-strong relationship with local and international law-enforcement partners. In short, the agency must continue to grow, both in numbers and capabilities, as it recommits to its mission of serving the Jamaican people.

As we’ve seen in the past few weeks, the battle is far from over. The digital fraudsters are still out there. The bribe-takers are still lurking. And organised crime hasn’t packed up shop just yet. But with MOCA and its partners leading the charge, and with Jamaicans like you playing your part, there’s a lot of hope left for a Jamaica where integrity and accountability are non-negotiable.

Let’s get to work people.

Major Basil Jarrett is a communications strategist and CEO of Artemis Consulting, a communications consulting firm specialising in crisis communications and reputation management. Visit him at www.thecrisismajor.com and send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com