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.
2015.12.14
4.3 Deputy M.R. Higgins of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding inspections of the States of Jersey Police by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary:
Will the Minister advise Members the date when the States of Jersey Police last underwent an inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and also when it underwent a peer review of one of its major investigations, such as murder, by an independent police force, and if it has not had one in the last 5 years, why?
The Deputy of St. Peter (The Minister for Home Affairs):
While there is no statutory requirement for Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to undertake inspections of policing in Jersey, the States of Jersey Police was last inspected in March 2008 at the invitation of the Island authorities. Since then, the force has established arrangements with other Crown Dependencies and other U.K. (United Kingdom) police forces to periodically undertake peer reviews in particular areas of practice, which has included reviews into police use of firearms, managing sex offenders and domestic abuse, police custody and public order. In addition, following the Island's 2 most recent homicide investigations in 2011 and 2014, the States of Jersey Police have called upon the National Police lead officer with responsibility nationally for a particular discipline for some bespoke elements of the investigations and in order to provide advice and guidance in accordance with the College of Policing good practice.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
The last inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, who obviously are reviewing all police forces throughout the U.K., was in 2008. Does the Minister not think it is time that perhaps they should come in and do another inspection and these ad hoc ones are not going to be as comprehensive as a full H.M.I.C. (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary) inspection? Does the Minister not agree it is time for another inspection?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
Since 2008 a lot has happened and the Police Authority has been set up in Jersey, which provides an additional level of oversight. The question of whether or not to invite Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is one that I would take with the Police Authority if deemed appropriate. But, also, one would have to be mindful of the cost, which would be in the region of £30,000.
- Deputy J.M. Maçon of St. Saviour :
I do not know if this is going a bit too far, but can the Minister advise when the police force was last externally audited?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
That is not a piece of information I have at my fingertips. Deputy J.M. Maçon:
Could the Minister please provide that in due course? The Deputy of St. Peter :
Of course.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
Considering that the Police Authority has no real expertise of policing, I do not think it is good enough to say that they have not felt the need for one. Will the Minister consult before the end of the year with the Police Authority and see if they are willing to call for an H.M.I.C. inspection, as it is long overdue?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
I am not willing or able to meet with the Police Authority before the end of this year, as we have only a matter of a couple of weeks left before the end of the year. But it is a constant point of review and discussion between ourselves and, at the moment, it is not considered necessary, or we would have called for one.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
I will go back to my request: will the Minister speak with the Police Authority, review this situation of an H.M.I.C. inspection before the end of January, which gives her more time to do so?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
I meet regularly with the chairman of the Jersey Police Authority and I will raise the point at our next meeting, but I am assured from my colleague on the Police Authority, in front of me, that this has been discussed recently with the Police Authority and they drew the same conclusion as myself, which is there is no need. But we can have that conversation between ourselves, I am sure.