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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 2nd JULY 2013
Question
Will the Minister advise members –
- how many complaints alleging the perverting of the course of justice, if any, have been levelled against the Chief and Deputy Chief of the States of Jersey Police to him as Minister, the Department and to the Chief Executive of the States of Jersey?
- How many of these complaints have been levelled by former police officers?
- Why he has not called in an external police force to investigate them?
Answer
As I indicated to Deputy Higgins when he asked a similar question on 4 June, it is not, generally, appropriate for me to speak publicly about any complaints that may or may not have been made against any police officer, including the Chief or Deputy Chief Officer of Police whilst the complaint is pending. That principle applies equally to public employees. It is extremely unfair for such allegations to be aired publicly.
In the event of a criminal allegation such as perverting or attempting to pervert the course of justice being made against the Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police, the Attorney General would advise as to whether or not a criminal investigation were merited. If the Attorney General were to advise that there should be a criminal investigation then I would expect the investigation to be conducted by a senior officer from another force.
Disciplinary issues in relation to the Chief Officer or Deputy Chief Officer of Police currently fall within the responsibility of the Minister for Home Affairs. Members will be aware that I have lodged P.78/2013, the draft States of Jersey Police Force Law 2012 (Appointed Day) Act 201-, which will bring certain Articles of the 2012 Law into force. One Article of the Law which is not yet in force is Article 9, which relates to the appointment of the Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer and gives Regulation making powers to the States in relation to such matters as the circumstances in which and the manner in which these officers may be suspended from office, dismissed from office and the general disciplinary arrangements. Work is ongoing on the preparation of law drafting instructions for these Regulations and members will have the opportunity to decide upon the procedures contained in such Regulations.