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States Greffe: Committee and Panels Section
Deputy Gregory Guida, Minister for Home Affairs By email: G.Guida@gov.je
11th January 2022 Dear Minister,
Taser Proposition
Following discussions at the Panel's meeting yesterday in relation to the Taser Proposition, the trial period and its review, concerns have come to light. The Panel notes that on the States Assembly agreeing to P.97/2020 as amended in November 2020 that the Assembly had agreed to a 12-month trial period being undertaken. Subsequently, for the Minister for Home Affairs to review the impact of the changes during the trial period and to report back to the Assembly after the completion of the 12-month trial. Moreover, it was agreed that specific data would be included in relation to the trial period as outlined within the Panel's amendments to P.97/2020.
Although understanding of the Minister's concern in relation to the possible disruption to the States of Jersey Police force as a result of any potential delay to the debate of the proposition, the Panel does not deem it acceptable to shorten the trial period from the 12 months that was agreed by the States Assembly, particularly as the review of the trial period and the subsequent debate of the proposition would depend heavily on the evidence gathered during the trial period. Moreover, the Panel is cognisant that the Government places great emphasis on evidence gathering processes and allowing time for this aspect to evolve, therefore this trial period and review should be afforded the same. Also, considering the trial has been undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic, the evidence gathered could potentially not reflect Jersey's normal' conditions and thus ensuring the full trial period is adhered to and the full complement of data, as agreed, is recorded and reviewed would be essential to the scrutiny process.
Considering the above, the Panel requests that the trial period should continue for a further four months. In doing so, the Panel requests that the debate of the proposition be deferred to a later States Assembly debate in March or April 2022. This would allow for the full trial period as agreed to be completed, and the evidence gathering process to be fulfilled. As such, a report of the further four months of the trial period could be presented as an addendum to the proposition.
I trust you are understanding of this position and I would be grateful if you could provide a response by Monday 17th January 2022.
Furthermore, on considering the information that has already been shared with the Panel on the proposition and the trial undertaken, the Panel has drafted questions which have been attached to this letter for a response in writing. The Panel would appreciate to receive a written response to its questions by Monday 24th January 2022. It is the Panel's intention to publish any response received on the States Assembly website to inform it review. Dependent on the response it receives, the Panel may wish to include follow up questions on the area during its Public Quarterly Hearing on 31st January 2022.
Scrutiny Office | States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | Fax: 01534 441077 | email: scrutiny@gov.je
Website: statesassembly.gov.je/scrutiny
Yours sincerely,
Deputy R. Ward
Chair, Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel