WIREDGOV

A new multinational centre to coordinate law enforcement action against grand corruption was launched yesterday.

The International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC), hosted by the UK’s National Crime Agency, brings together specialist law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions into a single location to tackle allegations of grand corruption.

The IACCC’s members include agencies from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK and the USA, with Interpol scheduled to join later this year. There is already significant cooperation between the countries in tackling trans-national serious crime, however to date no mechanism has prioritised or coordinated specific action against grand corruption. The new centre will improve fast-time intelligence sharing, assist countries that have suffered grand corruption and help bring corrupt elites to justice.

Grand corruption can include acts of corruption by politically exposed persons that may involve vast quantities of assets and that threaten political stability and sustainable development. Acts that might fall into this category include bribery of public officials, embezzlement, abuse of function or the laundering of the proceeds of crime. It increases poverty and inequality, undermines good business and threatens the integrity of financial markets.
The UK committed to establishing and hosting the IACCC during the 2016 Anti-Corruption Summit, and the National Crime Agency will host the IACCC until 2021, supported by UK government departments.

Donald Toon, NCA Director of Economic Crime, said: “There is no doubt that the world’s major economies are abused by corrupt leaders. We have a responsibility to guard against that abuse, limit the damage it causes to countries already battling poverty, and pursue the individuals who put self-interest above the welfare of citizens. This is the first law enforcement partnership specifically coordinating the global response to grand corruption. We know from our experience the value that dedicated centres for collaboration bring to successful international law enforcement action and we will use all our combined expertise to tackle the most complex and devastating cases of corruption.”

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Deputy Commissioner Operations Neil Gaughan, said: "Bribery and corruption distorts competitive conditions resulting in an inefficient allocation of resources and economic disparity. International corruption requires a global response; it is a threat to democracy, destabilising, corrosive of good governance and an impediment to economic development. As a member of the IACCC, the AFP is committed to combatting these threats though enhanced law enforcement cooperation."

Assistant Commissioner Paula Dionne of the RCMP's Federal Policing Special Services said: “Corruption benefits the few at the expense of the many, it has devastating effects on individuals and society.  The IACCC creates an environment whereby investigators can collaborate and offer assistance to countries that do not have the expertise or resources required to investigate these multi-jurisdictional criminal activities.  As a member of the Governance Board, the RCMP supports the IACCC initiative in the fight against grand corruption."

James Mancuso, the HSI Attaché in London, said: “Corruption undermines national security, law enforcement and border controls.  Homeland Security Investigations is a proud co-founder of the IACCC and we are committed to our international partners in the fight against corruption and will hold those responsible accountable for their crimes.”

“No matter where corruption occurs, the FBI is committed to rooting out any deceit that betrays the public trust and threatens a fair economy,” said FBI Assistant Director Stephen Richardson.  "The FBI is excited about this opportunity for agencies around the world to come together through the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre because we are most successful when we collaborate with our global partners.”

Mr Wong Hong Kuan, Director, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said: “Corruption has become increasingly transnational in nature and can severely affect national interests. The IACCC provides a platform for enhancing international coordination against grand corruption. CPIB is supportive of the IACCC initiative and stands together with our international partners in the global fight against corruption.”

“Corruption creates a fertile ground for organized criminal activities and terrorism. It undermines political, social and economic stability, ultimately threatening the safety and security of society as a whole. With financial crime trails often revealing connections around the world, a united effort is essential if we are to combat this global scourge with criminals stealing billions from the public purse,” said Tim Morris, INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Police Services.

Law enforcement agencies that are members of the IACCC:

• Australian Federal Police
• New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office
• New Zealand Police
• Canadian Mounted Police
• Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau of the Republic of Singapore
• National Crime Agency
• Federal Bureau of Investigation

Agencies planning to join IACCC later this year

• Interpol
• US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

Switzerland and Germany were involved in the design and establishment of the IACCC and will remain observers, participating in the IACCC Governance Board meetings as occasion demands.