In total this year (up to 13 December), there were 56 investigations into discipline breaches (both internal and external), with zero relating to honorary police.

The numbers represent a decrease from 64 investigations in 2022 and 84 in 2020 – but align with the 2021 figure of 55.

Pictured: The number of investigations over the past five years (HP stands for those relating to Honorary Police).

The breaches of discipline are outlined in the Police (Complaints and Discipline Procedure) (Jersey) Order 2000.

Performance of duties – "Officers should be conscientious and diligent in the performance of their duties. Officers should attend work promptly when rostered for duty. If absent through sickness or injury, they should avoid activities likely to retard their return to duty."

Use of force and abuse of authority – "Officers must not use more force than is reasonable, nor should they abuse their authority."

2023: 18

2022: 25

Politeness and tolerance – "Officers should treat members of the public and colleagues with courtesy and respect, avoiding abusive or deriding attitudes or behaviour. In particular, officers must avoid: favouritism of an individual or group; all forms of harassment, victimisation or unreasonable discrimination; and overbearing conduct to a colleague, particularly to one junior in rank or service."

2023: 7

2022: 8

General conduct – "Whether on or off duty, officers should not behave in a way which is likely to bring discredit upon the Force."

2023: 4

2022: 10

Confidentiality – "Information which comes into the possession of the Force should be treated as confidential. It should not be used for personal benefit and nor should it be divulged to other parties except in the proper course of police duty. Similarly, officers should respect as confidential information about the policy and operations of the Force unless authorised to disclose it in the course of their duties."

2023: 5

2022: 4

Honesty and integrity – "It is of paramount importance that the public has faith in the honesty and integrity of officers. Officers should, therefore, be open and truthful in their dealings; avoid being improperly beholden to any person or institution and discharge their duties with integrity."

2023: 6

2022: 3

Due to cost pressures, data requested for the years 2019 to 2021 relating to the type of alleged misdemeanour and outcome of each case was not provided.

Case outcomes

Of the 56 cases opened this year, 27 have had an 'informal resolution' and 22 remain open.

In 2022, 45 cases were informally resolved – while seven from that year remain open.

What is 'informal resolution'?

According to the Police (Complaints and Discipline Procedure) (Jersey) Order 2000, the appointed officer shall, as soon as practicable:

• Seek the views of the complainant and the member concerned about the matter; the member concerned shall be given the opportunity to respond to the complaint, at the member's option, orally or in writing.
• Where, having obtained the views of the complainant and the member concerned, it appears to the appointed officer that the complaint has in fact been satisfactorily dealt with at the time it was brought to the appointed officer's notice, the appointed officer may treat it as having been informally resolved.
• The appointed officer shall not, for the purpose of informally resolving a complaint, tender an apology on behalf of the member concerned unless the member has admitted the conduct in question.
• Upon resolving a complaint informally, the appointed officer shall record the outcome in writing and, where the appointed officer is not the Chief Officer, give a copy of the record to the Chief Officer.

Find out more HERE.