Recent disciplinary hearing involving three police officers

1240/5(7426)

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2013

Question

Will the Minister explain how, following the recent disciplinary hearing which led to the exoneration of the three police officers involved in the Curtis Warr en car bugging case -

1. the police officers will be able to work closely and harmoniously with the senior officers who brought the disciplinary charges against them;
2. how a trusting relationship between the police and the Law Officers' Department will be restored; and,
3. what the effects were of the illegal bugging in France, Belgium and Holland on the relations between those countries and Jersey and what steps have been taken to restore the trust and confidence of those authorities in the Jersey police and Law Officers' Department?

Answer

1. Disciplinary charges were brought following the recommendation of the investigating police force. Police officers are well aware that they will be subject from time to time to complaints and may be subject to a disciplinary hearing. The position in relation to disciplinary hearings is similar to that for a civil servant or other public employee. There should be no reason why a police officer who has been exonerated or made subject to a disciplinary sanction short of dismissal, and who remains able and fit for work, should not be able to return to normal duties.
2. A strong professional relationship exists between the States of Jersey Police and the Law Officers' Department and has not been harmed in any way bythis action.
3. There has been no detrimental effect to continued international relations with enforcement agencies. Requests for international assistance are undertaken in accordance with the law through appropriate letters of request and close scrutiny by the police and legal authorities.