Action taken after an investigation
Investigator’s final report
At the conclusion of the investigation, the investigator will submit a written report of his or her findings to the Protected Disclosure Coordinator.
The report will contain:
- The allegation/s:
- An account of all relevant information received and, if the investigator has rejected evidence as being unreliable, the reasons for this opinion being formed;
- The conclusions reached and the basis for them; and
- Any recommendations arising from the conclusions.
Where the investigator has found that the alleged conduct disclosed by the whistleblower has occurred, recommendations made by the investigator will include:
- The steps that should be taken by MFB to prevent the conduct from continuing or occurring in the future; and
- Any action that should be taken by MFB to remedy any harm or loss arising from the conduct. This action may include bringing disciplinary proceedings against the person responsible for the conduct, or referring the matter to an appropriate authority for further consideration.
The report will be accompanied by:
- The transcript or other record of any oral evidence taken, including tape recordings; and
- All documents, statements or other exhibits received by the officer and accepted as evidence during the course of the investigation.
The report will not disclose particulars likely to lead to the identification of the whistleblower.
Action to be taken
If the Protected Disclosure Coordinator is satisfied that the investigation has found that the conduct that was the subject of the investigation has occurred, the MFB:
- Will report the findings of the investigation to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services;
- Will take all reasonable steps to prevent the conduct from continuing or occurring in the future; and
- May take action to remedy any harm or loss arising from the conduct.
The Protected Disclosure Coordinator will recommend to the Chief Executive Officer the action that must be taken to prevent the conduct from continuing or occurring in the future. The Protected Disclosure Coordinator may also recommend that action be taken to remedy any harm or loss arising from the conduct.
The Protected Disclosure Coordinator will provide a written report to the Ombudsman and the whistleblower (unless the disclosure was made anonymously) setting out the findings of the investigation and any remedial steps taken.
Where the investigation concludes that the disclosed conduct did not occur, the Protected Disclosure Coordinator will report these findings to the Ombudsman and to the whistleblower.