Cops told to declare assets by March 31
POLICE commissioner Francis Forbes yesterday instructed lawmen, via the organisation’s weekly force orders, to send in declarations of their assets, liabilities and income by month-end, in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act which was passed on January 31, but takes full effect on March 31.
“Each completed declaration must be returned through the normal channel to reach the assistant commissioner of police, administration, under confidential cover, not later than March 31,” Forbes said.
The declaration, which applies to all public servants, must include all assets, liabilities and income of the previous year ending December 31. It must be filed by March the following year but under the law persons are allowed three months grace period.
Police officers who are demitting office are also required to make a statutory declaration which should cover income for the 12 months prior to their last day in office.
Attorney General A J Nicholson, who piloted the amendments to the Act last year, pointed out that the struggle to advance integrity in public life was demanding and called for constant vigilance from the entire society.
“The Corruption Prevention Act represents a new move towards the cementing of integrity in public life and a new order of accountability in our system of governance,” he said then.
The Act, under which specified categories of public servants will be required to file statutory returns annually, has been formally on the law books for over 21 months.
The categories of public servants required to file asset and liability statements, relate more particularly to people who earn $2 million or more, as well as persons who work in specified areas, such as customs, immigration, revenue collection agencies and the police — even if they earn less than the benchmark $2 million.
Police officers who fail to file returns or who are found to be involved in corruption will be liable to face hefty court fines and lengthy jail terms.