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WQ.108/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO H.M. ATTORNEY GENERAL BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. LAWRENCE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 26th FEBRUARY 2019
Question
Will H.M. Attorney General explain –
- whether there is potential for the proposed Justice and Home Affairs Target Operating Model, which was published on 4th February 2019, to impact in any way on the operational independence of the States of Jersey Police when compared to the current structure; and
- whether the implementation of the proposed Target Operating Model will require any amendments to legislation and, if so, what those legislative changes could be?
Answer
- The Connétable raises the important principle of operational independence of the States of Jersey Police. As Members will be aware this was the subject of a Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General in March 2018, which recommended, amongst other things, measures:-
- "to reinforce further the operational independence of the States of Jersey Police"; and
- "enhancing the role of the Police Authority."
The consultation on the proposed Justice and Home Affairs Target Operating Model contains proposals that brings the recommendations of the Comptroller into focus. Adequate safeguards will need to be put in place to ensure that States of Jersey Police operational independence is not compromised, both structurally and in practice.
- In the event of the proposals being implemented in their current form, it is likely to be necessary to make legislative changes to reflect the status of the new office of Head of Law and Border Enforcement, and the potential future absence of a Deputy Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police. This may involve amendments to the States of Jersey Police Force Law 2012 and the Customs and Excise (Jersey) Law 1999. The extent to which legislative changes might be required will depend on the outcome of the consultation and the nature of the model that is ultimately adopted.