NASSAU, BAHAMAS-The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) is reiterating its calls for the establishment of an independent Integrity Commission amid corruption allegations involving a senior Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) officer.
Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, head of the Criminal Investigation Department, has been placed on garden leave while authorities investigate voice notes allegedly implicating him in conversations with a prominent attorney and Michael Fox, Jr., described as a prominent gang leader before his death in May. Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander has assembled a team to investigate the allegations, with UK and US law enforcement offering support to ensure the investigation’s independence and impartiality.
In a statement The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) stated: “These allegations, which have circulated social media, underscore the urgent need for accessible independent and transparent mechanisms to receive and vet claims of corruption at all levels of government and law enforcement. As an organization dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, we believe it is essential to establish systems and policies that promote integrity and build public confidence in our justice system.”
It continued: “ORG commends Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander’s announcement of an independent investigation into these allegations, with potential assistance from law enforcement agencies in the UK and the US, is a critical step in ensuring impartiality and thoroughness. This decision presents an opportunity for the authorities to proceed with transparency and diligence. A comprehensive investigation that leaves no room for doubt about the integrity of the process benefits both the public and government. It also supports the legal mandate that all individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and encourages the public to respect the integrity of the legal process.ORG has long advocated for the establishment of an independent Integrity Commission as a vital and sustainable solution for the Bahamas. Such a body, operated independently from the government, would be instrumental in reducing the incidence and perception of corruption, investigating allegations, and holding individuals accountable for their actions. Integrity Commissions are fast becoming the standard across the caribbean. Jamaica, Barbados, Turks and Caicos and Trinidad are among the regional nations to have established such entities”
According to ORG, corruption, and the perception of corruption, erodes public trust, undermines the rule of law, and hampers social and economic development.
“It is imperative that we take decisive action to address these issues and ensure that our public institutions operate with the highest standards of integrity. The establishment of an Integrity Commission is not just a necessary step but an urgent one,” ORG noted.
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