Reporting obligation planned Government employees to be required to report Mafia references

Authorities in Switzerland are planning to introduce a mandatory reporting obligation for public officials regarding suspected organized crime activities. The federal government and cantonal administrations aim to require all state employees, ranging from land registry clerks to food inspectors, to report any suspicious activity they observe that could indicate involvement with criminal organizations. This initiative follows concerns over the infiltration of criminal groups into economic and social structures, including law enforcement itself. The proposed measure would apply to both federal and local government workers. It was suggested initially by the cantons during a recent consultation process, according to Eva Wildi-Cortés, director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol). She emphasized that certain roles, such as those in land registries, food inspection, and labor control, are particularly well positioned to detect irregularities. These individuals have direct access to business operations and can identify anomalies that might point to money laundering, illegal trade, or other forms of organized crime. “They see into businesses,” she explained. “They see oddities that they can pass on. We depend on this.” Originally, the federal government had considered granting public officials only the right to report, rather than making it compulsory. That meant staff could choose whether to make a report, though they would not face legal consequences if they did. However, the new policy aims to change this by imposing a duty to report. The goal is to prevent the infiltration of organized crime into society and its institutions, which authorities believe has become increasingly sophisticated. To combat such threats, the government plans to implement the new reporting requirement within the framework of a national action plan against organized crime. The plan is set to be finalized by year’s end, after which individual cantons will be responsible for implementing the measures. Currently, some cantons already enforce a reporting obligation, while others offer only limited rights to their employees. In some cases, public servants who disclose information risk violating confidentiality rules and facing potential legal repercussions. This push for stricter oversight comes amid growing awareness of how criminal networks can penetrate even high-level institutions. Fedpol has warned repeatedly about the threat posed by organized crime infiltrating economic and social systems, including law enforcement agencies. A recent case involving one of its own officers underscores these fears. A police officer working for the Federal Security Service was recently arrested for allegedly selling investigative data to drug trafficking organizations. Although the director, Eva Wildi-Cortés, stated that the employee was not personally known to her, the incident highlights the internal risks of corruption. An initial review of the case found no clear violations of procedures, including access controls to sensitive police data. However, a more comprehensive analysis is ongoing. Wildi-Cortés noted that further actions may be taken, potentially including increased scrutiny of hiring practices and personnel vetting processes. The case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining integrity within their ranks.