Suspension policy (FOI)Suspension policy (FOI)
Produced by the Freedom of Information officeAuthored by Government of Jersey and published on
25 November 2021.Prepared internally, no external costs.
Request
In the below Jersey Evening Post article about the Norfolk Police investigation into the States of Jersey Planning Department, Deputy Mike Higgins mentions "I understand they [Norfolk Constabulary] were in the Island a few weeks ago and interviewed two people under caution and that a lawyer in the UK is now going through all the evidence".
JEP article concerning the Norfolk Police Investigation
A
What is the States Employment Boards policy on suspension of employees who have been interviewed under caution by the police?
B
What is the States Employment Boards policy on suspension of employees who have been interviewed under caution by the police as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of crimes committed whilst working in public office?
C
What is the Department of Environment's policy on suspension of employees who have been interviewed under caution by the police?
D
What is the Department of Environment's policy on suspension of employees who have been interviewed under caution by the police as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of crimes committed whilst working in public office?
E
Under what circumstances do the States of Jersey Police regard it necessary to interview somebody under caution?
Response
A and B
The process for handling the potential suspension of a Government of Jersey (GOJ) employee is outlined in the Government of Jersey Suspension policy which you can find attached to this response.
Suspension Policy
C and D
The GOJ Suspension policy applies to all employees of the States of Jersey on permanent and non-permanent contracts of employment regardless of which department they are situated in.
E
Before someone can be interviewed under caution, they must be reasonably suspected of committing, or having some involvement, in an offence. Reasonable suspicion means that there is a possibility (based on more than just hearsay or speculation) that a crime has been committed by that person. The purpose of interview is to obtain evidence by questioning.
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