NCJ Number
149402
Date Published
1994
Length
75 pages
Annotation
This report presents papers from a Queensland (Australia) conference that addressed what criminal justice managers can do to create an environment in which "whistleblowers" are encouraged to report observed corruption in the confidence that there will be no adverse consequences for them.
Abstract
The "Welcome and Introduction" by the general counsel of the Queensland Criminal Justice Commission notes that the conference will target managers and their responsibility to create an environment which is conducive to staff members' blowing the whistle without fear of retribution. A paper on "Democratic Dissent in Public Employment" advises that managers already have existing legal obligations to whistleblowers. The government must also affirm by legislation and practice the right and duty of public employees to report corruption and other wrongdoing. Another paper considers what happens to whistleblowers and why. Advice is given to whistleblowers and to management. Advice to whistleblowers includes lining up support for themselves before they start. The most reliable support will come from outside the organization, since support from within is likely to crumble once a typical employer reaction starts. Advice to management is that failure to address corruption when it is revealed can only hurt the organization and undermine effective management, which should guide an organization toward its mandated goals. Another paper reports on the work of the Queensland Criminal Justice Commission in responding to complaints of misconduct. Other papers address the implementation of whistleblower protection legislation in South Australia, including its prospects and problems, and the ways in which top quality management facilitates whistleblowing. Attached data on complaints received by the Queensland Criminal Justice Commission