Anti-corruption agency should be independent - Christie

Former contractor General Greg Christie says a suggestion to use the police to assist the proposed single anti-corruption body to probe corrupt practices in the society could undermine the independence of the agency.

Arguing that this approach would represent a major flaw in the construct of the anti-corruption body, Christie posted on Twitter that "to be effective, the anti-corruption body must have independent criminal investigation and prosecutorial powers. The flaw must be remedied".

Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding indicated that the single anti-corruption agency, which would be established under a new Integrity Commission Act, would receive investigatory support from the Anti-Corruption Branch, and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force.

Golding had said that the two units would not form part of the single anti-corruption agency.

However, Christie insisted that if the anti-corruption body was established with support from the police, it would be akin to a facade. "It would not be worth the paper it is written on," he stated.

J'cans think cops dishonest

In its 2013 Corruption Perception Index, Transparency International reported that more than 80 per cent of Jamaicans believe the police are dishonest.

When Christie first proposed the setting up of a single anti-corruption agency, he called for an investigative body with prosecutorial powers to tackle corruption.

He subsequently added to his proposal the appointment of an anti-corruption Cabinet minister with responsibility also for ethics and good governance.

The justice minister tabled the Integrity Commission Act in the Senate in March, which seeks to consolidate the laws relating to the prevention of corruption, and the award and monitoring of government contracts.