The Office of the Ombudsman and the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding for both institutions to work together in certain investigations.
The agreement will also see the two institutions facilitate exchange of information between them.
Acting Ombudsman Alain Molgos and the Acting Police Commissioner Colonel Robson Iavro signed the MOU last week.
The agreement combines the specific functions and objectives of both agencies as mandated by law.
It will also allow both parties to exchange information on investigations conducted and ensure the two offices do not duplicate unnecessarily investigations into the conduct of Leaders and other Government Agencies and publicizing wherever appropriate, the accountability arrangements for Vanuatu Government agencies and Leaders.
Both institutions will engage themselves in joint investigations into criminal misconducts of leaders pursuant to section 34 of the Leadership Code Act and section 37 of the Ombudsman Act.
The outcome of their findings will be jointly reported and submitted to the Office of the Public Prosecutor for the purpose of prosecution under section 35 of the Leadership Code Act.
This is the first time since the establishment of both agencies that there is an MOU between the two of them.
The heads of both agencies are looking forward to working together under the terms and conditions of this MOU.
Photo supplied Caption: Acting Ombudsman Alain Molgos and Acting COMPOL Colonel Robson Iavro at the signing ceremony.