Public policy. The OSP’s ultimate goal is to improve the quality of governance and law enforcement in Palau through the effective enforcement of corruption, public ethics, and economic crimes. The OSP is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of governmental accountability—both in the exercise of the functions of the OSP as a government office and as an institution dedicated to serving the Palauan public.
It is the general policy of the OSP to accept, document, review, and investigate all complaints of alleged governmental misconduct brought to the OSP. The Special Prosecutors Act mandates that the OSP receive complaints, and in no way limits from what source the OSP may accept those complaints. The OSP takes this mandate seriously. While frequently the OSP receives information about investigations from other government agencies and branches, the OSP also receives and encourages public complaints concerning suspected violations of law, especially complaints of governmental abuse.
Evaluation and Prosecution Process. The OSP pursues each and every complaint of an alleged wrong received by the OSP in the following manner:
- Review each complaint to make sure it falls within the jurisdiction of the OSP.If the complaint does not fall within the OSP jurisdiction,
- The complaint is forwarded to the appropriate office that has jurisdiction; or,
- The complaint is sent back to the complainant with an explanation that the complaint is not a matter the OSP may prosecute; however, it may be appropriate for discussion with a private attorney for possible further action.
- If the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of the OSP, it is fully investigated by the OSP investigators and forwarded to the OSP attorneys for a final decision and a determination of charges and prosecution, if appropriate.
- Regardless of how the OSP handles the complaint, the OSP will keep non-anonymous complainants informed of the status of the complaint throughout the pendency of the matter.