Integrity Chamber Reports Rise in public engagement, three investigations in 2024

GREAT BAY--The Integrity Chamber of St. Maarten has reported growing public trust and participation in integrity matters, according to its 2024 Annual Report, which was formally presented to Prime Minister Luc Mercelina. The report highlights an increase in notifications of suspected misconduct and a higher level of direct inquiries from both individuals and government departments.

In 2024, the Integrity Chamber received five notifications of suspected misconduct and conducted three investigations, one preliminary and two full investigations initiated by the Chamber itself. Categories of reported misconduct included unwanted behaviours such as intimidation and discrimination, financial irregularities, non-compliance with procurement laws, and unfair application of regulations.

Two of the five notifications are still being processed, two were withdrawn by the notifiers, and one was ruled inadmissible due to jurisdictional limits. The Chamber noted that several reports were prompted by internal concerns within administrative bodies, reflecting a greater willingness among public servants to address integrity issues through proper channels.

In total, six formal inquiries were received during the year, two of which resulted in official notifications. One inquiry from a government department led to informal advice on the selection process for a candidate to an oversight body, with the Chamber recommending stricter adherence to proper vetting procedures.

The Chamber also launched an internal assessment of its investigation process to identify and correct procedural bottlenecks. This review has already led to improvements, including an updated notification form to make it easier for citizens and civil servants to file reports.

President of the Integrity Chamber Rik Bergman described 2024 as “a significant turning point” for the institution, noting stronger engagement from both government and the public. In his foreword, Bergman said the Chamber has seen a “pivotal shift” in its role, with the Government of St. Maarten seeking its guidance more frequently through onboarding sessions for new civil servants and consultations with the Prime Minister.

“Over the past year, the Government has turned to the Integrity Chamber on several occasions, engaging in more interactions on varying levels,” Bergman stated. “This change reflects the growing recognition of the Integrity Chamber’s essential function in our democracy.”

He added that the Chamber will continue to advance its mission of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, emphasizing that guidance, dialogue, and implementation of advice are key to embedding integrity across all sectors of society.

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