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States of Jersey Police
Rouge Bouillon Police HQ
PO Box 789
Jersey
JE4 8ZD
Some calls may be recorded
Tel: 01534 612612
Fax: 01534 612613
sojp@jersey.pnn.police.uk

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Complaints Against the Police

The document below explains what to do if you need to make a complaint against a States of Jersey Police officer.

It also explains how these complaints are dealt with.

How can I make a complaint?

If you think a Police officer has behaved wrongly on duty or has committed an offence you can

• Write to the Chief Officer of the Force or
• Give details at the Police station or to any Police officer

What should I say?

• Say as much as you can about your complaint
• Describe what happened
• Give the name or number of the officer/s concerned (if you know them
• Say when and where the incident took place
• Give the names and addresses of any witnesses (if you have them)

What happens then?

Normally a senior officer will visit or phone you to tell you about the complaints procedure and to give you the opportunity to discuss your complaint. Whenever possible, the senior officer will explain why the officer will explain why the officer subject to complaint took a certain course of action, what the officer’s duties were, what the police powers were, and in what circumstances the officer acted.

Experience has shown that many people are unaware of the extent of Police functions and responsibilities and that an explanation provided by a senior officer may help clarify the position.

If you are satisfied with the explanation given by the senior officer, or the cause of your complaint can be rectified immediately, and you are content with that, your complaint will proceed no further.

You may be asked to sign a piece of paper confirming you are happy for this to happen. A record will be maintained of what has taken place.

Any allegation of criminal conduct would not be the subject of an attempted informal resolution of this nature.

Who will investigate my complaint?

If things are not sorted out informally, your complaint will be investigated by a senior Police officer – known as the Investigating Officer. This senior Police officer must have had no earlier involvement with your case.

Additionally, the investigation may be supervised by the Independent Jersey Police Complaints Authority.

How will my complaint be investigated?

The investigating officer will talk to:

• You
• Any witnesses
• The officer(s) you have complained about

The investigating officer will refer an account of the investigation into your complaint to the Deputy Chief Officer, who has responsibility for complaints and conduct. At this stage, the Police Complaints Authority will examine the file to ensure that the investigation has been carried out to its satisfaction.

At this stage the Deputy Chief Officer can:

• Decide, after considering the investigating officer’s report that no formal action is needed.
• Deal with the officer(s) under the Police Discipline procedures.
• If it appears that the officer(s) may have broken the law, refer the case to the Attorney General.

Whatever action is taken you will be told by the Deputy Chief Officer as soon as possible.

The Attorney General

The Attorney General is entirely independent of the Police and on receipt of a file alleging the possible commission of a criminal offence against a Police Officer, will examine that file and decide if there should be proceedings taken.

Police Discipline Procedures:

The Police Officer complained about may not have committed a criminal offence but may have behaved in a fashion considered inappropriate for a police officer. In these circumstances, the Deputy Chief Officer may, in conjuction with the officer’s immediate supervisors:

• Warn the officer about the behaviour if the matter is not serious
• Arrange for the officer to appear at a discipline hearing

A discipline hearing is a formal disciplinary tribunal heard before the Chief Officer, who takes evidence. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Chief Officer reaches a decision on the allegation of misconduct. If the Chief Officer makes a finding that an act or omission of the officer amounts to a discipline offence, a penalty can be imposed from a range of sanctions available.

What happens if I want to withdraw my complaint?

Wherever possible you should speak to the officer to whom you first made your complaint. Alternatively, you can notify the Chief Officer. If your complaint has led to criminal proceedings against any officer, any decision to continue with those proceedings will rest with the Attorney General.

Malicious complaints

Anyone who knowingly makes a false complaint about a Police officer/s may be prosecuted.

Please note

This document is intended to help you understand how you can make a complaint against a States of Jersey Police officer.

It does not cover every detail and should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law. It relates to complaints against members of the States of Jersey Police only.

Full details can be found within the Police (Complaints and Discipline) (Jersey) Law 1999, and the Police (Complaints and Discipline Procedure) (Jersey) Order 2000.