Governance of the States of Jersey Police – Follow up

Background

In 2018 the C&AG undertook a review of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the governance arrangements for the States of Jersey Police. This report follows up the implementation of the 2018 C&AG recommendations.

Scope

This review followed up progress made in implementing the recommendations contained in the 2018 Report.

The review extended to the implementation of recommendations in so far as they relate to the governance of the States of Jersey Police. It did not extend to:

• arrangements entirely internal to the States of Jersey Police Force
• the police complaints process
• the governance arrangements for the honorary police; or
• the merits of individual decisions.

Conclusions

Overall, progress has been made in addressing many of the recommendations set out in the C&AG report of 2018. The legislative changes in the States of Jersey Police Force (Amendment No. 3) Law 2021 have strengthened the independent operation of the States of Jersey Police from the Government.

At this stage however, the Police Authority has not had sufficient resources to undertake the role envisaged in the recommendations of the C&AG report of 2018. The Police Authority is not yet adequately resourced and supported in a way that enables it to undertake its functions. There should be a further assessment in due course as to whether the planned additional resources will enable the Police Authority to undertake all its functions effectively.