COP leader suggests roving fruad unit to deal with corruption allegations at state bodies

Prakash Ramadhar proposed on Sunday that the Congress of the People (COP) intends to set up a roving fraud unit with forensic auditors to conduct on the spot investigations at State bodies.

The new COP leader made the point at a media conference, noting that it is one of the initiatives COP intends to pursue. 

Ramadhar expressed concerns over an increase in allegations of corruption levelled against State entities and law enforcement bodies, including the Police Service. 

“One of our suggestions and we will pursue this, is the creation of a serious fraud office where police officers work together with highly-trained forensic accountants so that at any time a roving audit team can be sent to any Government department or person and investigate them," Ramadhar said. 

He added, "These are things that will take time, but we are committed to this happening in this country.”

Ramadhar, who is the Legal Affairs Minister in the People's Partnership government, said his party would not remain silent on issues of corruption. 

“The COP would always stand up for what is right and speak out on things which are wrong," he said.

However, he expressed some caution. "We have to be very careful. Yes allegations can be made, but we always made the point that when serious allegations are made with merit, there is a process.” 

Ramadhar also spoke of the state of crime but rejected suggestions for a state of emergency to arrest the problem saying such a move "is a rupture of the constitution at any point in time and is not to be exercised lightly." 

Ramadhar added, "It has to be in the most extreme cases. I don’t think we need a state of emergency to effect proper policing.”

The COP leader noted that it takes time to deal with such a long standing problem. 

"The crime situation did not occur overnight. We have to understand that we need to take a very sustainable approach to crime fighting and that is what is happening. It’s taking far too long in my mind, but it is happening,” he said. 

He explained that the government is moving towards a technological approach to crime solving with the use of forensics and DNA. He added that a larger police force is part of the need at this time.

"We will have more police officers with more vehicles, with more visibility and presence. It is critically important,” he said.