Investigate Government & Police Complaints
We will try to resolve your complaint by gathering the facts, hearing both sides of the story, and making recommendations to address any unfair treatment or unreasonable decisions.
Talk to the O.
The Ombudsman is an impartial and independent office of Parliament that acts as the Cayman Islands’ guardian of fairness, transparency and accountability.
Government Complaints
If you are dissatisfied with a Government decision or feel you were not treated fairly and you have tried to resolve the matter through the government's internal complaint process unsuccessfully, you may make a complaint to our office.
Police Complaints
You may make a complaint about the conduct of a police officer at any police station or directly to us.
Freedom of Information
If the Government has refused to disclose records you requested, you may appeal the decision to us. We will hear your appeal and decide whether the records should be disclosed.
Whistleblowing
If you are concerned that your employer is acting improperly, you may disclose the improper conduct to us and you will be protected against any detrimental action taken by your employer in reprisal for your disclosure.
Data Protection
The Data Protection Act gives you control of your personal data, and protects you against its misuse in the public and private sectors.
Being investigated?
If we receive a complaint, disclosure or appeal, we will inform you as soon as possible. We will provide you with details about the issues and you will have an opportunity to provide a detailed response.
What we do
Information Rights
We will review your appeal and decide whether the information must be disclosed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. We will investigate your complaint about misuse of your personal data and decide whether a data controller is in compliance with the Data Protection Act.
Whistleblowing
We will investigate your disclosure and decide whether it qualifies for protection under the Act. If you suffer a detrimental action we can make recommendations for compensation for any reprisal.
Outcomes - Selected Case Summaries
Categories
Asylum Issues
Early Resolution | 21 June 2019
Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure (CPI) , Cayman Islands Customs & Border Control (CBC) , Department of Vehicle & Driver’s Licensing (DVDL)
Six Cubans who had recently been granted asylum by the government complained that the travel documents issued to the group had caused significant difficulties when they tried to use them. They claimed the documents did not appear official and did not contain a security bar or a stamp to associate it with the Cayman Islands. They also noted the documents were handwritten and were concerned they would not be recognized by most countries as authentic. They also complained that they were unable to apply for Cayman Islands driver's licenses as a result of their inability to speak, read or write in English. Our investigator translated their requests and forwarded them to CPI and DVDL.
We recognized that there was a genuine language barrier which prevented the group from communicating directly with the government. Our Spanish speaking investigator translated their concerns into English and acted as a liaison with the government.
As a result of our involvement, we have been advised that the government is considering revising the documents to modernize them. In addition, government allowed the group to take the written driver’s test in Spanish.