THE GLEANER, MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | IC FEATURE C13 The Division’s core values include: Equality and Fairness- We conduct all investigations with equality and fairness, with no regard for class, creed or affiliations. TeamworkWe value the strength of unity and collaboration Accountability and ProfessionalismWe seek to provide the highest level of service to Jamaica whilst remaining accountable for the performance of the investigative mandate of the Commission. RespectWe treat all colleagues, partners, stakeholders and subjects of our Investigations with respect and dignity, whilst valuing differences and remaining committed to growth and development. Honesty and IntegrityWe adhere to the highest standards of ethical behaviour while remaining cognizant of the fact that, with our enormous entrusted powers and responsibilities, our actions and motives must be above reproach. THE INVESTIGATION DIVISION Investigate acts of corruption; Investigate allegations of non-compliance with the provisions of the ICA; Monitor the award, implementation or termination of government contracts; Monitor the grant, issue, variation and suspension or revocation of prescribed license; and Where necessary, investigate the award, implementation or termination of government contracts and /or the grant, issue, variation and suspension or revocation of prescribed license. FUNCTIONS OF THE DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATION (DI) pursuant to Section 33 of the Integrity Commission Act (ICA). The DI is mandated to: POWERS OF THE DI Pursuant to the following provisions of the ICA, the DI shall have the power to: Summon and examine witnesses under oath, compel the production of documents or any other information, and do all such things which are necessary for the purposes of conducting investigations (section 45); Require the assistance of any person who is the subject of an investigation or any other person who in the opinion of the DI is able to give assistance in relation to a matter under investigation (section 48). To be advised by Accounting Officers of the award of all contracts relating to the government (section 51). To investigate matters relating to government contracts and prescribed licences (section 52). To enter public or private property with or without a warrant, respectively for the purpose of conducting investigations under the Act. For the purpose of an investigation, the DI shall have the same powers as a Commissioner pursuant to the provisions of the Commissions of Enquiry Act in respect of the attendance and examination of witnesses and the production of documents. The investigation Division executes its functions through to six (6) units, namely: Contract Monitoring and Licensing Asset Divestment/Acquisition (Monitoring Units), Declarations and Financial Investigations and Contract, Procurement and Corruption Investigations (Investigations Units) and Intelligence and Witness Management and Forensic Accounting and Audit (Support Units). The support units are the most recent additions to the division. An overview of the Units’ work will, therefore, be provided below. Together, both support units assist the division in its functions in the following ways: FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND AUDIT UNIT a. collecting and preserving evidence - such as data acquisition and maintaining proper chain-of-custody; b. creating linkages and identifying trends; c. providing expert testimony in court to explain forensic investigation methods, findings, and the reliability of evidence gathered; d. working alongside investigators to develop strategies, as well as, providing updates based on the analysis of evidence; and e. training investigators on the handling of digital evidence so as to improve the efficacy of investigations. INTELLIGENCE, WITNESS MANAGEMENT UNIT a. gathering of Intelligence utilizing various methods to including; surveillance, and conducting risk assessment; b. recruiting covert human intelligence sources; c. advising the Commission on areas of vulnerability; d. witness care; and e. liaising with the courts in respect of witness care and management. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT The Division regards its stakeholders as an integral component of its success, to this end, the division has been deliberate in the engagement of its several partners. In the last 12 months, quarterly meetings were convened with some partners, adhoc meetings with others and new relationships were established. Amongst our stakeholders are Competent Authorities (pursuant to section 7 of the Integrity Commission Act) and other third entities whose input is integral to our work. Our main partners include: Jamaica Constabulary Force, Major Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Agency, Financial Investigations Division, Tax Administration Jamaica, Jamaica Customs Agency, National Land Agency, Public Procurement Commission, Office of Public Procurement Policy, Companies Office of Jamaica and the banks and other financial institutions.
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