Anti-corruption crack down successful

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reporting success with its 1-800-CORRUPT hotline.

The hotline was established in 2008 with the aim of providing persons with information on corruption within the JCF and other government agencies to call and share their information using a secure telephone line.

In a release on Sunday, the Anti-Corruption Branch said it received a total of 215 calls on its hotline last year compared with 51 in 2009.

Of the 215 calls made to the CORRUPT line in 2010 over 50% were processed and investigated by members of the ACB.

Commenting on the results, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Justin Felice, who is in charge of the ACB, said he was pleased with the increase in the number of calls and the assistance given by Crimestoppers United Kingdom, USAID and LIME Jamaica Limited.

He said these are very encouraging results, adding that it is a clear indication that persons in Jamaica have confidence in the hotline system. 

He said the ACB has not only received calls about corruption within the JCF but other government agencies.

ACP Felice said these calls are taken very seriously and are robustly investigated in order to ensure that persons involved in corruption are removed speedily from the system. 

The 1-800-CORRUPT hotline is hosted offshore and all calls are taken by offshore call takers with the assistance of Crimestoppers UK, USAID and Lime Jamaica Ltd.