The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
4.10 The Deputy of St. Martin of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding the involvement of the Association of Chief Police Officers in the Historic Child Abuse Enquiry:
Will the Minister outline what the Association of Chief Police Officers role was in the historic child abuse inquiry; at what stage of the inquiry the Association became
involved; whether it is still involved; its cost to date; and whether the Minister is
satisfied with the Association's involvement?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand (The Minister for Home Affairs):
The Association of Chief Police Officers was not directly involved in the historic abuse inquiry, however following contact between the local force and members of the Association of Chief Police Officers with the Association of Chief Police Officer's Homicide Working Group, a number of individuals were engaged to assist in providing advice to the local force in connection with the inquiry, which they did. The Homicide Working Group is no longer involved in any way in the ongoing inquiry. The costs involved were approximately £7,000 which, of course, formed part of the costs of the historic abuse inquiry. The Association's involvement is in an area which is being investigated and I cannot properly express an opinion.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
Could I ask the Minister why is the Association of Chief Police Officers not still involved with the investigation oversight of it?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
Well, they never were involved, as I understand it. With oversight they gave advice in relation to it and it was not thought that further advice is currently required.
- The Deputy of St. Martin :
It is my understanding that the role of the Association of Chief Police Officers was to oversee the conduct of an investigation and that investigation is kept within guidelines. I do not know whether the Minister is able to answer this question, but given that the Chief Police Officer is suspended, has he been suspended because the investigation of historic child abuse inquiry was not within those guidelines?
The Deputy Bailiff :
As you are aware, discussion of suspension has to take place in camera. So I do not think you can ask the Minister to give detail of the reasons for the suspension.
- Senator S. Syvret:
Has the Minister read any of the A.C.P.O. (Association of Chief Police Officers) reports, including their recommendations?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
No, I have not, and the reason for that is because I felt it desirable - and that is the advice I have been given - that I should distance myself from investigating this, at this point. It is currently part of a matter under investigation which I will subsequently have to judge and it is thought better if I wait until later.
Senator S. Syvret:
I take it from that answer that the Minister would not like me to furnish him with
copies?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
Thank you very much for the offer, but I would not want to read them at this stage.