DPI: Misconduct by Authorised Vehicle Examiners - Corruption and ...

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
[1] This is a report on the investigation by the Corruption and Crime
Commission (“the Commission”) of alleged public sector misconduct by
employees of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) during
2008, a 2009 review of the presence of improper influence as a
misconduct risk for DPI and a 2008-2009 organisational review of
misconduct management by DPI. Although the investigation and reviews
were, at times, concurrent, they were separate Commission undertakings.
1.1.1 Commission Misconduct Investigation
[2] The investigation by the Commission of alleged public sector misconduct
by employees of DPI was in relation to the inspection, licensing and
registration of motor vehicles during 2008. The investigation, which
commenced in July 2008, focused on allegations of bribery and corruption
of public officers employed as Authorised Vehicle Examiners (AVE or
“Vehicle Examiner”) by the Licensing Services section of DPI, in Perth
metropolitan Vehicle Examination Centres.
[3] There are six such Centres and the Commission investigation was
principally concerned with the activities of public officers located in two of
these, that is, Kelmscott and Welshpool, and to a lesser extent O’Connor.
The other Centres are located at Midland, Osborne Park and Warwick.
[4] The scope and purpose of the investigation was to:
determine if any public officer employed by the Department for
Planning and Infrastructure has, is or may have engaged in
misconduct in relation to the inspection, licensing and registration of
motor vehicles or in any other function in their capacity as a public
officer.
1.1.2 Review of Improper Influence Risk
[5] The review by the Commission of improper influence-related misconduct
risk was across the major licensing functions of DPI, and was conducted
during the period February to May 2009. The review looked at the nature,
extent and management of improper influence-related misconduct risk for
Vehicle Examiner, MDL 1 Assessor (Assessor) and Regional Transport
Officer (RTO) functions in the Perth metropolitan and regional areas. The
review provided an in-depth perspective of improper influence as a
specific misconduct risk area in licensing and the capacity of the wider
systems to mitigate this risk.
[6] The improper influence review focused on the licensing roles of Vehicle
Examiners, Assessors and RTOs.
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