Last Sunday, The Gleaner’s front page read ‘Politicians most corrupt’. The newspaper was reporting findings from a commissioned poll on the perceived level of corruption associated with different groups within the society.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of the respondents (44.6 per cent) placed our political leaders at the top of this unenviable scale, which is a first in almost a decade, according to the study conducted by Professor Paul Borne from Northern Caribbean University.

The timing of the study is a major factor, as it was done in May when the issues of hefty salary increases for politicians and non-signing of the Integrity Commission’s (IC) code of conduct by the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) Members of Parliament (MPs) were fresh in the minds of the citizens.

On the matter of the code of conduct — which speaks to good governance, integrity, accountability, and honesty, among others — many would agree that all MPs should sign the document, even though we wonder if it is just empty symbolism. Notwithstanding, the IC has done some questionable deeds, which has caused both JLP politicians and many Jamaicans to lose trust in the institution.

Just very recently we learnt that the chairman of the IC Justice (Ret’d) Seymour Panton has had personal phone communication with Opposition member Peter Bunting. Subsequently, he was cleared of any misdeed surrounding the approval of a licensed firearm permit for applicants of questionable character while he was in charge of the Ministry of National Security. While it is important for Bunting to clear his name, especially if he acted in good faith, the seemingly personal manner in which the IC dealt with his situation raises a red flag, at least this is how it is perceived by sections of the society.

It is also reported that former interim director of corruption of the IC Dirk Harrison admitted that he recommended that a former convict be considered for a gun licence. For this confession to be made now further diminishes the trust that the public has in the IC. But let us hope that the IC will redeem itself. After all, the entity is given a huge annual budget and there is little return on investment.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has finally spoken on the issue, calling for a cessation of the “cass cass” regarding criticisms levelled against the IC. He also underscored the need for protecting institutions like the IC. But will Robert Montague be vindicated? Let us also see how MPs Robert Morgan and Everald Warmington will behave going forward.

The other two major groups perceived to be the most corrupt are the police, according to 19.7 per cent of the respondents, followed by central government, chosen by 14.6 per cent of the 762 respondents canvassed across all the 14 parishes. Scammers were placed fourth by 1.7 per cent, while the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) closed off the top five with 0.8 per cent.

Undeniably, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been receiving a more positive rating from the public, despite the bad apples that continue to bring shame on the force. We can think of the recent incident in which members of the force were accused of playing an integral role in robbing a Chinese-operated wholesale of millions of dollars. Nonetheless, the recently staged JCF expo held at the National Arena helped to boost the public’s confidence in the police officers, in that they are employing the highest level of technology “to serve, protect and reassure the people in Jamaica through the delivery of impartial and professional services aimed at maintenance of law and order, protection of life and property, prevention and detection of crime, and preservation of peace”.

However, I was appalled to see the meagre percentage of the respondents who considered scamming to be a corrupt practice. Even though the sample size is below 1,000, it is still concerning. It has caused me to wonder if we know what corruption entails. It is easy to blame politicians for their malpractices because they are officials of the State, paid by taxpayers’ hard-earned money. But aren’t many of us guilty of corruption in one way or another? Or is it that the politicians commit greater sins because large sums of money are usually involved and a high level of cronyism and nepotism?

But as a deceased church mother in my local ‘country’ church would say, “All sin spell S-I-N.” Nevertheless, when one thinks about the sanctions that politicians escape through undeclared assets and offshore businesses and the leisure at which some of their businesses are allowed to operate without much scrutiny, it is truly concerning.

The average citizen, though not having the same luxuries, practice corruption by obtaining their driver’s licence through back door deals and modify purchase invoices to pay significantly less for custom duties. However, while I am not justifying either of the practices, Jamaicans have long lamented that many driving instructors and assessors purposely fail the learner driver simply because they want to incite them to pay an exorbitant sum to obtain the licence. With regard to overseas purchase, citizens have been begging the Government to raise the US$50 threshold on imported goods, as this amount is absolutely ridiculous. Sometimes the custom tax significantly exceeds the initial cost of the item. This is also because the courier companies impose excessive mark-ups and lie to their customers about the import bill. It is, therefore, clear that there are many ways to scam.

Other instances include asking a friend or colleague to predate and stamp certain documents, which is an unethical practice. It also includes lecturers accepting bribes in cash or kind to pass students. It involves justices of the peace collecting financial rewards for doing voluntary service. It includes some clergymen fleecing offering from their poor congregants so they can live lavishly. It is about management promoting unqualified and incompetent workers based on intimate relationships or friendships.

Corruption has many faces. As we demand more from our leaders, let us simultaneously assess our own deeds. As Matthew 7:3-5 charge us: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’ “

Corruption has many faces. As we demand more from our leaders, let us simultaneously assess our own deeds.

Oneil Madden is interim chair/head of Department of Humanities and lecturer in language(s) and linguistics at Northern Caribbean University. He is also a PhD candidate in applied linguistics at Clermont Auvergne University, France. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or maddenoniel@yahoo.com.