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2nd Floor,
Police Head Quarters, La route du Fort,
St Helier, JE2 4HQ 01534 612147
Deputy Catherine Curtis
Chair, Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel. By email to: K.Decarteret@gov.je
Dear Deputy Curtis ,
Government Plan Review 2023-2026
Thank you for your letter requesting the views of the Jersey Police Authority regarding a number of areas of the Government Plan 2023-2025 (P.97/2022). I have taken into consideration your Term of Reference for this review, and I offer you the Authority's views and comments on the related following projects:
- Combined Control Room – p.66 of R.146/2022
The Authority welcomed a presentation delivered by the DG of JHA at a joint meeting with SOJP colleagues at the beginning of this month. The CCR has now been renamed the Emergency Services Control Centre (ESCC). Whilst the ESCC is located within the Police headquarters, it becomes a stand- alone entity and will conduct its business independently. The ESCC staff and related budgets will move from SOJP to be directed and led by JHA. The vision for 2023 is that the new structure is to move towards a One-Team, multi skilled across the Services with Cross Service training due to be completed by the end of 2023. The JPA however, remains cautious around any impact on resourcing of SOJP in the event of staff sickness or other form of absenteeism which would ultimately result in police staff being required to step in at short notice to fill any gaps.
We have seen and are supportive of the agreed Service Level Agreement which has now been signed by all Heads of Service.
- Police Resourcing – p.68 of R.146/2022
An agreed establishment number of 215 Officers and 125 Support Staff was approved by the Assembly in 2019. The JPA is aware that due to repeated efficiencies' being placed on the organisation, (in excess of £2m in the last two years alone), it has been impossible to maintain this number, requiring staff vacancies to be kept open. The JPA has been clear that we expect a fully established workforce moving into 2023 and while we fully support SOJP contributing to efforts to address public financing pressures, this cannot be at the expense of having sufficient numbers of police and support staff to deliver what the public in Jersey deserve and expect.
We learned earlier this year that the allocated funding was still not available to deliver the establishment required. Following a new business case, a further £500k was agreed to fulfil the required establishment. We are encouraged to learn of 7 skilled transferees being successfully recruited, as well as 12 new recruits about to begin their training early in 2023. We are, therefore, currently satisfied that this is sufficient, but would strongly resist any further budget cuts.
- Victim Support – p.68 of R.146/2022
Victims First Jersey was established and launched in January 2021. The Victim's Charter which sets out the standards of care victims and witnesses can expect in Jersey was also published. This initiative was originally funded over a 3-year period from Building a Safer Society fund which ceases at the end of 2022. This investment is intended to provide a longer-term funding model and to ensure there is a professional, co-ordinated service that is accessible to all victims of crime. In addition, this investment will complement and build on the investment already made by the Government into sexual and domestic abuse services. The funding will be spent on 5 FTEs as well as their training/CPD costs. The JPA is supportive of this vital investment as it will assist the police in providing a more streamlined service to witnesses and victims whose trust and confidence in the criminal justice system is vital to enable police and prosecutors to fulfil their role of investigating crimes and prosecuting criminals.
- Associated Costs of Domestic Abuse Law p.68 of R.146/2022
The Government and the States Assembly have increased support for victims with the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Law 2022. The Law introduces a new domestic abuse offence which includes coercive and controlling behaviour and also includes measures to tackle perpetrators. It vigorously targets those who perpetrate domestic abuse to prevent firsttime, repeat, and serial offending. The new Law provides for notification requirements and domestic abuse orders, which prevent/restrict an offender from certain actions such as coming within a specified distance of the victim. Recent data informs us that domestic abuse offenders continue to offend either against the same victim or a new victim. The social and economic costs of this cycle of offending are substantial.
The new provisions also allows Police to disclose certain information about an offender to protect a potential future victim. While welcome, the introduction of this law has put additional demand on services. This investment is intended to fund the cost of recruiting 3 FTEs and one-off costs including training and IT equipment for the purpose of implementing the law. The JPA is fully supportive of this funding as this will allow for additional resources to be used as Offender Managers (OM). OM's provide for the supervision and management of offenders in the community. They assess an individual's level of risk of harm they pose to others. They will work in partnership with agencies such as the probation service, social workers and health professionals to develop networks, enabling best use of resources collaboratively and drive the safeguarding of victims.
Thank you for inviting the JPA to participate in this review Yours sincerely
Jason Lane Chair