Bill Bowden is a retired Verizon Delaware executive and past president of the Delaware Quality Award. He also served eight years in state government as the executive director of the Department of Technology and Information. He resides in Ocean View.
The application window has closed. As of Dec. 15, the search for Delaware’s first inspector general has entered its most critical phase: the selection of three finalists. This is not merely a hiring decision; it is a stress test for Delaware’s commitment to accountability.
Let’s be clear about what this role requires. This is not a search for a “Republican” inspector general or a “Democratic” one. Crucially, it cannot be a search for a “Delaware Way” inspector general. What our citizens deserve is a fiercely independent watchdog — one insulated from political pressure and empowered to act solely in the public interest.
While this office is new to the First State, the road map for success already exists. Across the country, inspectors general have safeguarded taxpayer dollars for decades. As the selection committee begins its work, it should look to the Association of Inspectors General for guidance. For over 25 years, the association has defined the gold standard for this profession. Its “Green Book” standards should serve as the committee’s North Star (inspectorsgeneral.org).
History teaches us that an IG’s success or failure is determined before his or her first day on the job. It starts with the selection process. To establish credibility, this process must be merit-based, transparent and relentlessly nonpolitical. Public trust is fragile; if this first appointment smells of favoritism, that trust may never be recovered.
The committee must prioritize hard qualifications. A baseline candidate should have a decade of experience in auditing, investigations, law or public administration, backed by senior leadership roles. Professional certifications — specifically, the certified inspector general credentials — should carry significant weight. These are not just letters after a name; they signal a commitment to the ethical rigor this job demands.
That said, the committee should cast a wide net regarding background. A seasoned auditor brings vital expertise in fraud prevention, while a veteran investigative reporter offers the instinct to dig where others won’t. Both skill sets are vital to the mission.
Ultimately, the deciding factor must be character. The final choice must be an individual defined by unwavering independence and impartiality.
For years, many Delawareans have urged state leadership to take this important step. It is encouraging — and exciting — to see it finally happening. With a thoughtful, principled selection process, Delaware has a real chance to get this right and to establish an Inspector General’s Office worthy of the public’s trust. The wait has been long, but the opportunity is finally here — and it is one worth getting right. We have a chance to build an institution worthy of the public’s trust. We cannot afford to miss.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
