December 9^th, 2010

Media Release

Crime Stoppers Launches The Integrity Line

The perennial problem of wrong-doing in the workplace going unreported could soon be a thing of the past. This will come with the launch of The Integrity Line by Crime Stoppers Barbados, which has the elimination of so called white collar crime as a major emphasis.

Guaranteeing anonymity as one of the main pillars of this new feature, the Integrity line can be used by employees who are aware of inappropriate behavior or wrongdoing in their work places.

The launch of the new line is a signal that crime across all facets of society and sectors will no longer go ignored. It is a facility that will empower individuals to help themselves and the entities that they work for. Indeed, the new line is intended to help curb the usual pattern of employees who may simply complain about illegal or inappropriate behaviour, by giving them a dedicated and confidential method of reporting wrongdoers and illicit activities.

Crime-stoppers Barbados is pleased with the launch of the new line, as it reinforces the message about empowering individuals to take action about illegal and inappropriate behavior they may observe in their respective organizations or sectors, by calling with the tip.

The Integrity Line, for which Crime Stoppers Barbados now has the regional franchise, should also result in a decline of inappropriate or illegal activity in the workplace.

As the regional franchise holder for The Integrity Line, CSB believes it is a facility that has gained recognition as a highly effective supplement to assist an amenable working environment, as it facilitates reporting of, hence improved management and awareness of, all forms of behavior, e.g. bullying, discrimination, vandalism, etc., as well theft, fraud and corruption. www.theiline.co.uk

Some benefits of the Integrity Line include the reduction in crimes against an employer, as the wrongdoer may fear exposure, reveal problems sooner, enable critical information flow — to the people who need to know and can address the issues; demonstrate to stakeholders, regulators and courts that the organisation is accountable and well-managed; reduce the risk of anonymous and malicious leaks; minimise costs and compensation from accidents, investigations, litigation and regulatory inspections; maintain and enhance reputation; create a transparent atmosphere and provide staff with a clear procedure for issues they feel they cannot raise directly with their employer.

In a world where white-collar crime and workplace crimes in general have been coming under increased scrutiny in Barbados, regionally and internationally, the Integrity Line is the solution.

    U N I T E D   N A T I O N S        N A T I O N S   U N I E S

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

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MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION DAY

9 December 2010

            Corruption is a threat to development, democracy and stability.  It distorts markets, curbs economic growth and discourages foreign investment.  It erodes public services and trust in officials.  And it contributes to environmental damage and endangers public health by enabling the illegal dumping of hazardous waste and the production and distribution of counterfeit medicines.

            The United Nations Convention against Corruption has helped the public sector to make progress in deterring these crimes.  Last year, the Convention’s States parties, which now number 148, established a peer review mechanism to identify gaps in national anti-corruption laws and practices -- a major breakthrough that can help governments halt bribe-taking and the embezzlement of public funds.

            The private sector’s contribution is also essential.  Corruption acts as a hidden overhead charge that drives up prices and erodes quality without any benefit to producers or consumers.  Preventing corruption makes good business sense.  Increasingly, investors are factoring not only environmental, social and governance considerations into their decision-making, but sound ethical performance as well.

            I call on business leaders worldwide to denounce corruption and to back their words with strict prohibitions against it.  They should adopt anti-corruption policies in line with the United Nations Convention and put in place the necessary checks to strengthen integrity and transparency.  I also urge corporations to work more closely with the United Nations on this issue.  In particular, they should consider joining the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, which provides participants with tools to fight all forms of corruption, including extortion and bribery. 

What we urge upon the public and private sectors, we at the United Nations must practice ourselves.  An ethical organizational culture is one of the best antidotes to corruption.  The United Nations Ethics Office promotes accountability, integrity and transparency.  A thorough policy protects staff against retaliation if they report misconduct or participate in audits and investigations that may expose unethical behaviour.

The United Nations is also working to combat corruption in the conduct of its activities, including procurement, by ensuring individual accountability, collaborating with law enforcement officials, and investigating all possible instances of corruption that may arise.  On 8-9 December at UN Headquarters in New York, the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services is bringing together organizations from around the world for a conference aimed at strengthening the role of internal investigations in combating corruption.

            On this International Anti-Corruption Day, let us all do our part to foster ethical practices, safeguard trust and ensure no diversion of the precious resources needed for our shared work for development and peace.

ANTI-CORRUPTION perspectives and measures , both in Barbados and abroad, will come under the microscope when Crime Stoppers Barbados (CSB) hosts a major Breakfast seminar on Thursday December 9th 2010.

The CSB seminar is critical to building the island`s awareness of the varying roles of the public and private sectors, media and Non Governmental Organizations,  in avoiding the high costs of corruption.  Being held under the theme, "Safeguarding Integrity…Fighting Corruption", the seminar has been strategically set to take place on International Anti-Corruption Day, designated by  the  United Nations (UN). . At present there are 140 signatories to the UN Convention against Corruption, including Barbados.

Attendees at the seminar  will have the benefit of a lively discussion from the featured speakers namely  Mr. Michael Laurie, Chief Executive Officer of Crime Stoppers UK, who will arrive in Barbados on December 6^th, along with another top CSUK official, Director of Operations Mr. Dave Cording;

 Mr. Andrew Brathwaite, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB); Mr. Andy Armstrong, President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI); Mr. William Layne, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance  and ; Mr. Emmanuel Joseph, President of the Barbados Association of Journalists.

The event is expected to attract a great degree of interest from all sectors of society as everyone has a say in ensuring transparent governance and management at all levels.

The seminar is set for the Needham`s Ballroom, Hilton Barbados, from 7:30 a.m. December 9^th 2010.

To commemorate the United Nations designated Anti Corruption Day on December 9th 2010. Crime Stoppers Barbados in association with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados  and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry will be hosting a breakfast seminar "Safeguarding Integrity ... Fighting Corruption" at the Hilton Barbados on December 9th 2010.

The purpose of the seminar is to examine the issues of corruption from various perspectives, its impact on business and society, the legislation and the measures that can be put in place.

 The panel of presenters:

Mr. Andrew Brathwaite, President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados

Mr. Andy Armstrong, President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Mr. Emmanuel Joseph, President of the Barbados Association of Journalists

Mr. Michael Laurie, Chief Executive Officer of Crimestoppers UK

Mr. William Layne, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance

Advanced Registration only: $80 per person and $560 per table of 8. and includes Breakfast.(7:30 a.m.)

Registration forms are available by contacting 246-435-5917/236-2609 or info@crimestoppersbarbados.com.

Crime Stoppers Barbados (CSB) will be hosting two high-ranking officials from Crime Stoppers UK (CSUK) in just over a week.

The visit, from December 6^th to 10^th will be two-fold, as the two top CSUK representatives will be meeting with local Government Ministers and law enforcement authorities and participating in a major seminar to commemorate the United Nations designated, Anti-Corruption Day on December 9th 2010. 

The two UK officials, Michael Laurie, Chief Executive, Crime Stoppers Trust, and Dave Cording, Director of Operations, Crime Stoppers Trust will meet with the Attorney General & Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Adriel Brathwaite and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Chris Sinckler; the Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Her Majesty`s Prison, Colonel John Nurse, Coordinator of the Regional Security System (RSS) Grantley Watson, along with the heads of the local business community.

CSUK and CSB have actually enjoyed a close working relationship that dates back to the inception of CSB in 2009. This relationship has seen the evolution of initiatives such as www.caribbeanmostwanted.com and soon, the introduction of the new Integrity Line and an anti-theft product called Crime Stoppers Property Protector. The Integrity Line will be available for employees to pass on anonymous information about wrongdoing at their work places. Crime Stoppers’ Property Protector is a unique liquid solution that gives valuables their own coded fingerprint that can only be read by police.

Mr. Cording joined Crime Stoppers at the end of February 2004 as Director of Operations. This role maintains the effective and regional structure of Crime Stoppers throughout the UK, helping to promote the scheme to communities and partners. This of course involves working closely with the criminal justice system and police forces that process Crime Stoppers Information.  Mr. Cording was heavily involved in the setting up of the Charities’ 24x7 Bureau, which enables members of the public to give information at any time of the day.  He has extensive experience in joint working with all areas of the community which is invaluable in his role at Crime Stoppers.

Crime Stoppers Barbados officials are both excited and hopeful of the visit from the UK officials, as they view it as an opportunity to showcase the importance and relevance of the Crime Stoppers programme and how it can assist on societal and economic levels within a jurisdiction like Barbados.

The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Crime Stoppers International (CSI) and Interpol is significant for the Caribbean region.

Chairman of Crime Stoppers Barbados, Anthony Phillips stated,"the signing of this agreement is significant for our programme and for the Caribbean region and we would be moving expeditously to create and implement joint initiatives to address the problems of drug and human trafficking which are issues that are plaguing our societies".

This as he revealed that CSI had solidified its partnership with Interpol, the world`s largest policing organization in signing an MOU at the 79th Interpol General Assembly earlier this month.

"We have already communicated with Interpol`s office here in Barbados and will be meeting in a few days to determine how we are going to move forward" said Phillips.

He continued; "CSI is committed to tackling transnational crime and the signing was just one of many efforts that the international body will embark upon to help make a significant impact on the global crime fight."

The Assembly approved a resolution that will result in the two organizations enhancing their joint efforts against transnational crime.

Speaking on the signing of the co-operation agreement, CSI President Michael Gordon-Gibson stated, "It is important for people living on local communities to understand that this decision will positively impact them in their communities. Transnational crime does exist where organized crime networks participate in human trafficking, drug and gun smuggling and other activities. These activities usually end up in our communities and if CSI and Interpol can work closely to eliminate or reduce this, that`s better for all of us".

In commending the efforts and dedication of the Board of CSI, which is the umbrella body for all Crime Stopper programmes operational in more than 30 countries around the world, Phillips reiterated that the Crime Stoppers movement started almost forty years ago and it has been instrumental in solving major crimes all over the world.