Module 1: Understanding and avoiding corruption – Overview
Abuse of power is where a person :
A person may be regarded as having abused power by way of act or omission.
This offence is sometimes called “abuse of office” or “misconduct in public office”.
A person occupies such a position if they are responsible for making decisions or controlling the finances on behalf of the public or an organisation (e.g. a finance manager, procurement manager, project manager, supervisor).
Examples:
Avoiding abuse of power:
If you are a public official, or occupy a position of trust, always act honestly and objectively in the best interests of the public or your organisation. Never act in your personal interest.
Do not participate in or facilitate an abuse of power. For example, if you are a contract manager of a supplier, and a public official awards a contract to that supplier without a competitive tender in breach of procurement regulations, you could be liable for facilitating the public official’s abuse of power if you allow the supplier to accept the improper award.
January 2025
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