TNAG-0816-FCO40-1022-Police-corruption-Independent-Commission-Against-Corruption--1978 — Page 111

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under FOI exemption 40(2)

20

2

it was

"To save y cwn skin

yet

now

court and scid he was giving evidence against of course", If anyone was worse than enjoys the fruits of his evil Lecause he sold his former colleague to save

his own skin.

6. The reasons why tainted witnesser and nut honest police and citizens have

not came forward to give evidence against syndicates has not been probed in depth. It is merely stated that they are afraid. Tut why? My under- standing of the matter is that honest police do atelieve the intentions of the Goverment to rect cut corruption to the top, and they feel their

own position would be threatened if they came forward as witnesses. Way

then are tainted witnesses not too afraid to speck? Are they less afraid

of reprisals? Or is it act that the cues they accuse are not the real

gangsters and therefore not to be fecredi

7.. The visit of Ir. J.W.D. Crane and his tan indicated that there is a gap in liaison between high and low-ranking police. Eut how can that gap be bridged if each applicant to meet the tea has to give his reasoNO beforehand to the Commissioner of Folice, who has the right to prevent the interview! The Corrissioner was recently given the power of eritrary dismissal. Mac is going to right his job by applying through the Cozis-

sioner and giving his reasons, if he thinks those reasons will displease the Commissioner? Moreover, from what I can gather, when the team visits

police stations, the rank and file have no chance to express any views or

complaints except in the presence of senior officers. Now, therefore, is Kr. Crane's team going to assess the problems and advise on a solution? A wall of protection surrounds those in the nigher ranks who are involved in

syndicateė or malpractices, and the investigations of Mr. Crane's Team look likely to become a cover-up.

One can only conclude that the injuctices in the recent amesty and the continual use of tainted witnesses against those under indictment, as well as the failure of all channels of omzunication between the upper

and lower raiks, pose a threat to pulic law and order. It is the sozior

police who hold a pistol at the bends of the lower ranking police to keep silent and be their scopescats.

Jnless the Government is willing to stop the big corruption cover-up at the top, discontent is certain, and will eventually spread to the lower ranks of all departuents of the Government where sizilar cəndi- tions prevail.

E. Elliott