By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau — The Ministry of Justice plans to bring back the publication of police blotters as part of efforts to improve transparency, Justice Minister Jennifer Olegeriil announced during a press conference Wednesday.
“I believe there should be police blotters,” Olegeriil said. “When I got on board in May this year, there was no police blotter being done. The initiation has begun with the director and chiefs to re-start publishing police blotters, but we’re still in the reformatting stage.”
The minister said the new format will ensure the public receives important information while protecting legal requirements for disclosure in individual cases.
“Hopefully within the next two weeks, we will communicate with the media on how this information are to be disbursed — whether they should be picked up or through other means,” Olegeriil said.
Under current ministry regulations, the Bureau of Public Safety director serves as the public information officer. Olegeriil said her team is considering whether to revive the ministry’s past “family hour” radio program or share information solely through the police blotter.
“Especially when there is a serious crime incident, not only are the individuals involved victims, but the community is also a victim,” she said. “They have the right to know.”
Olegeriil asked for public patience, saying the changes will be in place within a month, and updates will be provided as the system rolls out.