‘RIGOROUS’ vetting is carried out on all applicants to the States police to root out corrupt officers and those with a history of sexual offending, Jersey’s police chief said in the wake of the latest Metropolitan Police scandal.
Robin Smith spoke out to reassure Islanders after a UK police officer was revealed to be a serial rapist.
Met PC David Carrick was sentenced yesterday to a minimum of 30 years in prison, after admitting 85 offences against 12 women spanning over 20 years – with the force having ignored eight warnings about his behaviour.
Mr Smith said the former officer ‘does not represent the service I joined’ and added that Carrick’s actions damaged the trust and confidence the public placed in the force.
In Jersey the Police Professional Standards Department has recorded eight complaints against States police officers since January 2020 for ‘incidents of a sexual nature’, with one constable ultimately being dismissed following an incident which took place in October 2021.
Alongside this dismissal:
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Two complaints resulted in official reprimands.
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Two investigations are ongoing.
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Three complaints were unsubstantiated.
Mr Smith said: ‘When we join the police service we say a solemn oath to serve the monarch and keep people safe. The words are so important they are painted on the wall at police HQ and act as a reminder to us all of our sworn duties.’
He added: ‘When former officers betray that oath and damage the trust and confidence of the public we too, the rank and file police officers and police staff, also feel deeply betrayed. This former officer does not represent the service I joined, nor do they represent the large majority of dedicated, honest and compassionate officers I have worked with throughout my career.
‘But, we can and never will be complacent. States of Jersey Police rigorously vet those seeking employment in the service. We expect the highest standards to ensure we maintain the trust and confidence of Islanders. Vetting is thorough, rigorous and includes “counter-corruption” checks rarely done by other organisations.’
A police spokesperson said the ‘dreadful case’ involving Carrick was especially damaging for the police service’s reputation and trust in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.
The 33-year-old was kidnapped, raped and murdered by serving Met police officer Wayne Couzens as she walked home in south London in 2021, sparking widespread outrage and protests.
‘Serious events, such as those reported recently, have a hugely detrimental effect upon the level of confidence communities have in the police service,’ the spokesperson added.
An independent review of States police counter-corruption and vetting procedures was commissioned in 2021, while an additional review on progress made in implementing recommended changes was carried out last year.
Last year’s Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey showed that three out of every four Islanders felt that States police did a good job policing in Jersey, while 93% of adults felt ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ safe in their neighbourhood.
The spokesperson added that States police placed ‘a huge value on the trust and confidence it has with Islanders and rightly accepts it is hard won and can be so very easily lost’.
