RSIPF reminds public on the process of reporting any corruption case
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) reminds members of the public that if anyone wants to report any corruption cases to police they have to produce an official signed document supported with strong evidence.
Investigations into corruption cases is a complex matter and it needs time and thorough findings before police can prosecute it.
Director of the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of RSIPF, Superintendent Michael Bole says, “NCID has been investigating major corruption cases in the country. They investigate such corrupt practices in national and provincial politics.”
Superintendent explains, “An investigation can only commence when a complainant files a complaint. A formal complaint for any alleged corrupt practice by any person must include supporting documents because the police do not want to investigate a rumour.”
“It is advisable for any member of the public who wish to make a complaint on any corruption matters to go to any police station and file an official complain. Police officers will assist you to take your statement to cover important elements for an offence of corruption. A complain on any corruption case cannot be made online or through email.”
“Once the complaint is formally lodged then a file will be addressed to the office of Director NCID at Rove Police Headquarters to be assessed and allocated to either the Anti-Corruption Unit, Fraud Unit or JANUS Task Force. This information will be further assessed using the case prioritisation matrix. It will be compared against impacts and priority grading if the case is low, medium, high, significant or very significant.”
Superintendent Bole says, “There are two Units within the NCID that investigate corruption cases. This includes the Fraud Unit and the JANUS Taskforce. The Fraud Unit investigates corruption cases for ordinary people in the private sector and individuals. JANUS investigates cases of corruption by Permanent Secretaries (PS) and other public service officers.”
NCID Director Bole points out that are a certain factors that determine how long an investigation will take. This includes:
- Obtaining evidence to show the trail of what was alleged to be a corrupt practice. These trails are form of guiding documents, applications, banking documents, expenditure reports, and statements of witnesses of recipients.
- Geographical location is a factor that may hinder investigators travel from location to location to gather evidence.
- Weather is another factor that may also affect investigation to commence in provinces especially remote areas.
- Transportation like vessels to tour remote islands and parts of islands is another factor because using the police patrol boat for all corruption investigation will be very costly.
- Availability of resources like man power to do the work is another factor that slows down investigation because there are instances that investigators may be re-directed to other urgent police operations. For example COVID-19 and Border deployment operation.”
- Funding may not be ready or available depending on government process of funding to enable investigators to travel to provinces to gather evidence and witness statements.
Media Release from RSIPF Media Unit