Corruption was rife in States force, says Harper

The ex-officer, who came to Jersey in 2002 and led the historical child abuse investigation launched publicly in 2008, on Tuesday levelled a series of accusations against the force and prosecuting authorities as he appeared via video link at the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.

Giving evidence, he claimed that he faced significant opposition when trying to tackle police corruption and that any officer who was disciplined was later allowed to return to work.

Among Mr Harper’s accusations were that officers:

  • Fed information to drug dealers
  • Took money off some of Jersey’s criminals
  • Handed over prescription drugs to prostitutes in return for sex
  • Took free gifts and holidays in exchange for giving contractors additional police work
  • And that one officer pointed a gun at another’s head and was suspended for the incident but subsequently reinstated by the States.

Mr Harper said that most of the alleged corrupt officers were not charged with criminal offences and that at least four had been suspended but subsequently reinstated.

He also claimed that the level of corruption in the States police was far worse than at other forces at which he had worked.

He also referred to one case where a PC was accused of giving additional work to a towing contractor in return for holidays and other free gifts, but that the then Attorney General, William Bailhache, decided not to charge him with corruption offences.

Mr Harper was due to continue giving evidence this morning.

The States police have declined to comment.

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