Review of police complaints process recommended

The Guernsey Police Complaints Commission says, in most cases, officers subject to complaints have conducted themselves with integrity and respect but has backed calls for a 'comprehensive review' of the grievance process.

46 people registered complaints over the way police conducted themselves in 2023.

The annual PCC report shows that of those, 19 were referred to the PCC for a detailed, supervised investigation.

12 allegations of misconduct were dismissed and five carried over into 2024, but then those cases were subsequently closed.

The PCC says 'very few (complaints) result in a finding of misconduct or gross misconduct and we see very few appeals being lodged following an investigation and determination of those complaints.'

Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs, says of the work the Police Complaints Commission:

"They provide entirely independent oversight on conduct investigations and monitor the way complaint investigations are carried out – an important check and balance for the police. The Commission also rightly raise that the law around Police Complaints does need review, and the Committee are committed to undertaking that work.”

Robert Jordan is the chairman of the PCC:

"We have expressed support for a comprehensive review of the current process and of other roles and responsibilities that the Commission could have that may further inspire public confidence. We are pleased the Committee are now looking at this. It is a key pillar of a modern society that members of the public can bring attention to their concerns about the way that officers have acted."

The publication of the PCC report comes at a time when Guernsey Police have been under pressure, following the release of videos online showing officers acting forcibly. Police have dismissed these as either having been edited or taken out of context.

Nevertheless, the Chief of Police warned recently that a small number of people were acting to undermine confidence in policing in Guernsey.

Robert Jordan mentions multiple or vexatious complaints in his report:

"The process as it is now can be easily abused when individuals make multiple complaints or pursue complaints in an unreasonable way.”