Jersey Police Complaints Authority – appointment of Members

STATES OF JERSEY

JERSEY POLICE COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY – APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS

Lodged au Greffe on 1st April 2021 by the Minister for Home Affairs Earliest date for debate: 11th May 2021

STATES GREFFE

2021  P.29

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

in accordance with Article 2 of, and the Schedule to, the Police (Complaints and Discipline) (Jersey) Law 1999, to appoint the following persons as members of the Jersey Police Complaints Authority for a period of 3 years, commencing immediately –

Mr Mark James

Mr Patrick Abernethy

MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS

REPORT

Jersey Police Complaints Authority ("JPCA") membership

Article 1(1) of the Schedule to the Police (Complaints and Discipline) (Jersey) Law 1999 stipulates that the JPCA shall consist of a Chairman and not less than 6 or more than 8 other members.

The current membership of the JPCA is –

Mrs Janet Naylor, Chair  Appointed 19 January 2021 Mrs Rachel Catchpole  Appointed 1 January 2017 Mr Graeme Marett  Appointed 6 March 2013 Mr Matthew Swan  Appointed 1 January 2017

And the following retiring members:

Mrs Dee Taylor -Cox Mrs Gail McCourt Mr Duncan Baxter

Recruitment

The position of JPCA Members was advertised locally, during December 2020 and January 2021.

The panel consisted of Janet Naylor as newly appointed Chair, Howard Cooper as former Chair (for handover), Deirdre McAvinue as HR Business Partner, and Sarah Elvidge, Business Improvement Manager (Justice and Home Affairs) as an independent panel member.

Following a competitive process, Mr Patrick Abernethy and Mr Mark James have been offered the roles, subject to formal appointment by the States Assembly.

Accordingly, the Minister for Home Affairs recommends that Mr Abernethy and Mr James be appointed to serve as members of the Jersey Police Complaints Authority for a period of 3 years, commencing immediately.

Patrick Abernethy is currently the Data Protection Officer within RBS International with previous experience in compliance at the Ministry of Justice, operating across various jurisdictions. Prior to this, Mr Abernethy held positions of Magistrate and Public Prosecutor in South Africa for a number of years and is admitted as an Advocate of the High Court in South Africa. He brings with him extensive experience and knowledge of criminal law, business development and strategic planning. He has a Bachelor of Law from the University of South Africa, and also holds ICT Advanced Certificates in Compliance and AML.

Mark  James  is  a  risk,  fire  and  crisis  management  consultant.  He  most  recently supported the Government of Jersey's operational response to Covid-19 by establishing a comprehensive testing and tracing programme. He is also a Director of a local artisan business. Prior to taking early retirement in 2018, Mr James was the Chief Fire Officer

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and Head of Emergency Planning for the Government of Jersey a position he held for 11 years. During this time, he led and managed the Island's Fire and Rescue Service. Mr James was the recipient of a Fire Brigade Long Service & Good Conduct (LSGC) medal in 2009 and the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) in the Queens 2016 New Year's Honour List for distinguished service. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Engineering Management from the University of Central Lancashire, a Master of Science  degree  in  Risk,  Crisis  and  Disaster  Management  from  the  University  of Leicester and a Master of Arts degree in Integrated Emergency Management from the University of Bradford.

Both candidates bring with them broad and varied experience and knowledge which will complement the existing Board.

Financial and manpower implications

Members of the JPCA serve on a voluntary basis. Accordingly, there are no financial or manpower implications arising from this proposition.