Watchdog wants review of police complaint system

The Police Complaints Commission said 46 people made complaints against Guernsey police officers in 2023

The way complaints about Guernsey Police are handled should be reviewed to help build public confidence, a watchdog has recommended.

The Police Complaint Commission (PCC) said its capacity was "limited" because it could only look into complaints about officer conduct which only make up "a portion of the complaints made to the police".

It called for a "comprehensive review" of the current process to "further inspire public confidence".

The Committee for Home Affairs said it supported a review of the law around police complaints.

The commission said 46 people made complaints against Guernsey police officers in 2023.

The PCC does not carry out investigations itself but provides independent oversight of investigations to ensure they are fair.

It said there were 19 "supervised investigations" in 2023.

Robert Jordan, chairman of the PCC, said: "In most cases officers have acted with integrity and respect when dealing with the public."

The commission said it "welcomes the introduction of a 'right to review' scheme, offering people the opportunity to have decisions made about their cases reviewed".

'Check and balance'

Deputy Rob Prow, Home Affairs President, said the work of the PCC was "very valuable".

"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," he said.

"That said, it is reassuring that the commission has found most officers investigated act with integrity and respect.

"The commission also rightly raise that the law around police complaints does need review, and the committee are committed to undertaking that work."