National Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service launched
The States of Jersey Police have joined all police forces in the UK to launch the Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service, which will be run by the independent charity Crimestoppers.
The service was established to give the public an anonymous and confidential route to report concerns about criminal behaviour by individuals in policing. It will bolster the Force’s capability to take action against any officers or police staff whose behaviour falls far below that of what is expected of them.
The Police Anti-Corruption and Abuse Reporting Service covers information relating to officers and staff who:
- Provide information or influence in return for money or favours.
- Use their policing position for personal advantage - whether financial or otherwise.
- Cross professional boundaries or abuse their position for sexual purposes.
- Abuse or control their partner, or those they have a relationship with.
- Engage in racist, homophobic, misogynistic or disablist conduct, on or off duty, in person or online.
Crimestoppers will take reports from the public about individuals employed by the States of Jersey Police, as well as any police force in the UK, regardless of whether the information relates to them whilst they are on or off duty, online or in person.
Reports can be submitted online www.reportpoliceabuse.co.uk and telephone calls are free on the 0800 555 111 number.
When people contact the service, they can choose to remain 100% anonymous, or can opt to leave their details if they are willing for someone to contact them directly.
Information received by Crimestoppers will be passed to the States of Jersey Police’s Professional Standards department, who will assess it. They may then pass the information to specialist detectives to begin an investigation, take steps to safeguard someone at risk or in danger, or record the information to inform future investigations.
Police Chief Robin Smith has welcomed the service, adding: “This new tool reflects our determination to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within SoJP, and is supported by the Jersey Police Authority and the Jersey Police Complaints Authority. There is never any room for complacency where corruption and abuse are concerned.”
The service sits alongside the States of Jersey Police’s existing complaints procedure and has been set up solely to take reports of corruption and or serious abuse committed by serving police officers, staff and volunteers.
The States of Jersey Police have an existing complaint process in place, to find out more - States of Jersey Police - Customer service
