Norfolk Police Department investigation

WQ.34/2022

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHAIR OF THE STATES EMPLOYMENT BOARD BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 31st JANUARY 2022

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2022

Question

"Following briefings made by Officers of the Norfolk Police Department after their investigation into alleged corruption in the planning department, will the Chair explain, in relation to the planning officer who reportedly wilfully lied as a prosecution witness under oath to a criminal court –

1. the date on which the officer's actions were reported to the States Employment Board by the Minister for the Environment and, if not reported by him, the date on which and by whom they were reported;
2. what breaches of the Code of Conduct for Civil Servants, or their Contract of Employment, arise from wilfully lying to the court and what penalties for such actions there are;
3. the date on which the officer concerned was suspended from office by the S.E.B. pending an investigation into their actions, and, if they were not suspended, the reasons why they were not suspended; and
4. whether, in the Board's assessment, it is appropriate for an officer accused of lying to a court to be allowed to resign, to obtain a favourable reference, to receive any form of compensation from the States or to enter into a non-disclosure agreement?"

Answer

1. The States Employment Board may not receive questions or provide comment on individual employment matters. Standing Orders, Schedule 3, Code of Conduct for Elected Members provides guidance on this point.

However, the States Employment Board understand that the Norfolk investigation did not find any criminal proof. We are awaiting a final written report to confirm their findings.

2. We refer to our answer in point (a)
3. We refer to our answer in point (a)
4. We refer to our answer in point (a)