Dept. of Justice: Still closed and secretive

The former Secretary General at the Department of Justice, Brian Purcell, resigned from his office on 28 July last.

Purcell resigned following a damning report that found a ‘closed, secretive, silo-driven culture’ at the department with ‘significant leadership and management problems.’

I rang the Dept. of Justice today for an update on Mr. Purcell’s position and experienced that closed, secretive culture at first hand.

I eventually got on to a civil servant who has not yet being infected with the secrecy virus.

Official one:

Me: Has Brian Purcell being reassigned yet?

Official: You’ll have to put that in writing.

Me: Why, it’s a very straightforward question. It’s public knowledge that he’s being reassigned. I just want to know has he been reassigned yet.

Official: I’m not privy to that information. I don’t know, I couldn’t answer that.

Me: Could you put me in touch with somebody who can answer my question?

Official: You’re going to have to send in any requests in writing, it’s an office policy here.

Me: Where does that office policy come from?

Official: It’s our own office policy, it helps us keep track of what’s coming in.

Me: So you’re telling me the Dept. of Justice doesn’t answer any questions whatsoever unless they are in writing.

Official: In this office it has to be in writing.

Me: Really, does your office have that rule in writing?

Official: I’m only new at the job here so….

Me: Ok, but you are making a statement about the office policy which is very important.

Official: I don’t want to give you any information that’s incorrect.

Me: Ok, could you put me on to somebody who can tell my about your office policy.

Official: Can you hold the line for a second?

Me: Yes, thank you.

The official transferred me to another office.

Me: Has Brian Purcell being reassigned yet?

Official: No, not yet.

Me: When do you expect that to happen?

Official: The post has been advertised and the closing date is 18 September so it won’t be before then.

Me: Thank you.