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Fitz Bailey turned down top FID post offer

Published:Tuesday | July 1, 2025 | 7:25 AM

Retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey was selected earlier this year to head the Financial Investigations Division but declined the offer six days after it was extended, according to newly released documents. Bailey, who was then acting police commissioner in the Turks and Caicos Islands, was contacted in January by the Office of the Services Commissions about taking up the post.

Blocked!

Gov’t denies request for details on change to FID top job criteria; former DCP Fitz Bailey was selected in first round

Jamaica Gleaner/29 Jun 2025/Livern Barrett and Jovan Johnson Senior Staff Reporters 

change was discussed, the current job description for the post; his contract; and any assessment or evaluation reports generated as part of the selection process.

Aldred, in her response last Friday, disclosed two documents with heavy redactions – Chung’s three-page contract of employment and the master score sheet dated March 12 this year – before, again invoking the sections of the ATI law she claimed forbid disclosure of documents related to the request.

“The other official documents that were identified as relating to the request are exempt under sections 17 (b) (i) and 22 of the Act and will therefore not be disclosed,” she said.

The job description was among the things that were not disclosed, though the email from Aldred indicated that it was attached to the contract.

The appointment of Chung to head the FID has faced strong resistance from the parliamentary opposition and civil society groups.

They charge that the noted chartered accountant is conflicted because of public comments he made about a report by the Integrity Commission following an investigation into the finances of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness.

A statement released by Minister of Finance and the Public Service Fayval Williams, on May 30, did not address the change in the law enforcement requirement, but insisted that the selection process was “transparent”.

Williams bristled at claims that the Government inserted itself into the FID selection process by overturning the recommendation of the OSC.

 

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