Dear Editor,
To better understand the findings, the reporting format was structured to reveal the following: – (i) Amount of persons who passed/failed the exam according to Traffic Headquarter Lists (THQ List). (ii) Comparing and verification of results (both passes and failures) with the questionnaires (completed exam papers) that are stored at Traffic Headquarters. Such an approach is intended to give an understanding of the Management of documents (record keeping) at Traffic Headquarters and at the same time test the integrity and transparency of the system itself. Both (i) and (ii) are part of the processes leading to the Practical Driving test. (iii) Total number of persons issued with competencies, supposedly after the practical driving test…
(a) Traffic Headquarters List: Figures – 5688 persons sat the Theoretical exams; 3543 passed and 1,485) failed. (3543+1485 = 5,028… 660 persons less than 5688). A cross-reference of all the figures shows anomalies. They are not adding up. Further, it reveals that although 1,594 persons passed the exams in’ A’ Division, 1,711 competences were issued, an excess 117.
(b) Questionnaires (completed examination papers) which are records to verify the authenticity of THQ Lists, were checked at THQ. Found: 2,158 or 38% were found. Not Found: 2,681 or 47%. The various THQ lists for this division show that five hundred and fifty-one (551) persons wrote the exams). Cross-referencing with the THQ Lists to verify passes and failures cannot be done without these questionnaires. A summary of these figures (questionnaires found/not found) gives a total of 4,839 questionnaires, 849 less than the 5,688 in accordance with all who would have written the exams. A re-occurring factor with all the audits was the inability of Traffic Headquarters to supply or find questionnaires for audit verification of the number of passes and failures.
(c) Practical Examination (Driving Test): A total of 3,683 competences were issued. Records show, of this amount, only 1,695 or 46 % made appointments to do the practical driving test; 2,003 or 54% did not, contrary to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act Chapter 51:02, (24). In the case of ‘E’ Division…more persons were issued with competence than the amount registered to do the practical driving test.
(d) Persons who obtained their Licence (competences) outside of their Divisions, for the period were 76) contrary to Motor Vehicle and Traffic Act 51:02 Section 1 (4)… These are not just issues of managerial and administrative failures. They are…systemic failures allowing for its manipulation… an entire structure was developed and implemented with the hope of strengthening the integrity of the process, yet ways and means were found to circumvent and undermine it…
AUDIT Recommendations:
(i) An overhaul of the system (professionalize the structure and administration of the Traffic Department Headquarters in Eve Leary) would lessen, if not eradicate, corruption in the issuance of competences by ensuring all prescribed procedures are adhered to…
(ii) Publish in Force Orders all relevant information regarding the function and role of COPS and Faith with specific regard to (a) documentation, marking of examination papers – ensure transparency and accountability in all aspects of the Theoretical Examination…
(iii) Get the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and CID to investigate these findings with a view of bringing charges against all found culpable – police and civilians…
(iv) Revoke all licences illegally issued/ obtained. The practical appointment register should include columns for the Provisional Licence number… indicate whether the candidates were successful or not…and whether they were present or absent at the exam. The licensing and certifying officer who conducts the exam, along with the Cops & Faith representatives, should affix their signature against each entry.
(v) Embark on a country-wide public traffic education blitz specifically structured to inform the public of the established procedures for obtaining a Driver’s Licence – a step-by-step approach – through the Public Relations Department of the Force. Selected aspects of the report can be restructured and repackaged for public education and consumption…in a focused way through radio, television talk shows, press, and presentations by either Divisional Commanders or Senior Officers of the Traffic Departments.
(vii) Conduct a massive re-education project with all traffic ranks at the Divisional level on Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02 and Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic…
Sincerely,
Rohan Singh,
Senior Superintendent (R/td)
Former HPGS/A&IU-GPF