Cop Gasboygate investigation stalled
(CNS): Following the revelations of the first Gasboy fuel card audit by the auditor general in 2010, the police commissioner said at the time that an investigation was opened as a result of the actions of one officer. However, the police stated this week that the enquiry had stalled because that officer had left the service and the island. The RCIPS had been one of the first public authorities to be audited regarding the fuel card system as it was one of government’s largest fuel consumers. A number of anomalies were flagged by the former auditor in the original report. However, his successor found in the follow up report that the police had addressed the risks identified.
“It is fair to say that we recognized the shortfalls and we have complied with all of the recommendations to tighten up processes and procedures,” a police spokesperson stated this week. The police had found that some of the anomalies identified by Dan Duguay in the first report could be explained. In one case, where an officer appeared to fill up multiple times, he had done so in preparation for a hurricane when several police cars were filled up simultaneously.
However, there was in one case cause for concern and an investigation was opened in the wake of the original findings in relation to one officer.
“Our investigation centres around one officer. The individual is no longer with the RCIPS and left prior to the initial report. This individual is now living overseas, however it is our intention to interview this person as and when he/she returns to the island, specifically in relation to excess use of a card relating to one specific vehicle,” the spokesperson added.
Since the audit, the police have taken action to record in detail who is in possession of fuel cards. Only three people in the RCIPS can now sign for fuel cards, the police spokesperson explained, and the RCIPS is working with the DVES to improve and tighten its internal controls and policy development.
Category: Crime
So what would have happened if that wa a local officer thatleft the service but still lived on island? Amsure his/her name would have been plastered on in the news. Must be nice when you can just pick up and leave to return to your old force, if this is the case of course. #justsaying.
Keep up the good works, you are certainly earning your pay.
It's good to see RCIPS are making positive moves to stop future abuse but a bit disappointing to read the old, "He's left the service and left the island so there's nothing we can do about it," excuse re-appearing.
I have to admit it's a very effective way to avoid investigating embarrassing complaints but what does it say about RCIPS and public accountability?
Nonsense!
Unless the officer was sacked for whistle blowing (like Brian Tomlinson ) s/he would have given notice, so if recipes were serious the investigation should have taken account of their proposed departure.
Why not interview party before they left?!
Such bs- now they have an excuse why nothing will be coming out of investigation, no firings, no changes, no accountability!
Does anyone REALLY think someone will be prosecuted for misuse of a credit card?
Congratulations to the RCIP for taking action to fix the problem. This just goes to show that the solution is not a new system but the will to use the present system . This should be a case study for the other Departments and Agencies who continue to look the other way and allow fuel to be stolen from the residents of the Cayman Islands.
Actually whilst this story headlines a stalled investigation due to an ex-police offer leaving the RCIP and leaving the island, the positive aspects (i.e. the Police making an effort to tighten up proceedures in respect to fueling up police vehicles) appears to have been overlooked given the headline. To me this is important and should be covered by itself. The media have made a point of reporting on the gasboy mess, but how often will they report on the follow up actions taken to tighten up on the gas cards, especially those changes which have a positve impact?
Headline–Police make effort not to continue illegal activities.