Police actions and powers (FOI)

​Request

A

What is the policy / law for police officers to identify themselves?

B

Is it acceptable for a police officer to request a member of the public to assault another?

C

Is it acceptable for a police officer to drive down a no entry when not using blue lights.

D

What is the punishment for an officer that commits offences.

Response

A

Police officers in plain clothes should identify themselves by showing their warrant card. Officers in uniform are required to give their name when conducting a search under Article 9 of the Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence (Jersey) Law 2003. An officer is not required by law to give their name whilst arresting or reporting an individual.

B

This is not a question for which information is held however, police officers may ask a member of the public for assistance when dealing with an individual or individuals. All police officers are responsible for their own actions and subject to the same laws as the general public.

C

Article 74 Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 states: Penalties for neglect of traffic directions:

(3) The Minister may by Order provide that a person shall not be convicted of an offence under paragraph (1)(b) for failure to conform to the indication given by any such sign as may be specified in the Order, if he or she proves to the satisfaction of the court:

(a) that the vehicle which the person was driving was being used for fire service, ambulance or police purposes;

(b) that to have conformed to the indication would have unreasonably hindered the use of the vehicle for the purpose for which it was being used;

The Ministerial Order can be found at Article 30 of the Traffic Signs (Jersey) Order 1968.

The use of Blue lights is not mandatory for this exemption to be used.

D

Police officers are subject to the same laws as the general public. The statutory penalties for a breach of any law are the same for a police officer.