Aug. 06, 2008

First it was the Office of Professional Responsibility to investigate claims of misconduct, and then it was a Code of Conduct to ensure that employees understood their ethical responsibilities as public servants, now Westchester County is adding a new internal control: The W.A.T.C.H hotline.

 W.A.T.C.H or Waste, Abuse, Theft County Hotline will allow employees to report instances of government abuse, fraud or waste. To encourage employees to report abuses, calls may be made anonymously and will be received by operators who work for an independent contractor hired by the county. Cases will be investigated by the county Department of Public Safety’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

“There is no room for waste, abuse or fraud in this government,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “We want to send a message to our employees that we not only encourage them, but we expect them to step forward if they see something is wrong. We have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the misuse of public money, resources or property.’’

The Board of Acquisition and Contract tomorrow is expected to approve spending $8,400 for an agreement with Allegiance Inc., a neutral third party, to handle the calls in confidentiality. If approved, the hotline should be in operation within the next few weeks.

 The hotline is yet another example of actions Spano has taken in recent years to improve internal controls, crackdown on abuse and waste and root out ethical conflicts. In 2005, Spano established the Office of Professional Responsibility within the Department of Public Safety to investigate allegations of serious misconduct or criminal activity among county government employees.     
 
In May, to help ensure integrity among its employees, the county established a Code of Conduct which set down guidelines for the use of county property such as county cars, office equipment etc. as well as  reinforcing the policy that prohibits political or outside business on county time or using county equipment as well as other issues dealing with employee integrity. This is in addition to a previously established Code of Ethics with guidelines on the ethical behavior of county officers and employees.

Spano said that the new W.A.T.C.H hotline would not only take complaints from employees about other employees, but would take complaints that apply to county vendors, concessionaires, leases, licensees, contractors and consultants.

“We are proud of our county employees and we know that 99 percent are hardworking public servants who are committed to their jobs and their communities,’’ said Spano. “We want them to know that if they see something that they feel is not right, it is their duty to say something and that they can report it without fear of reprisal.’’