Police Authority: Chairman: Appointment

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A decision made 27 August 2013:

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2013-0050
Decision Summary Title :	Appointment of Police Authority Chairman		Date of Decision Summary:	27 August 2013
Decision Summary Author:	Executive Officer Home Affairs		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	n/a
Written Report Title :	Appointment of Police Authority Chairman		Date of Written Report:	27 August 2013
Written Report Author:	Executive Officer Home Affairs		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Appointment of Police Authority Chairman.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the appointment of Advocate Jonathan White to the post of Chairman of the Jersey Police Authority for a period of 4 years from 27 August 2013.
Reason(s) for Decision: Those Articles of the States of Jersey Police Force Law 2012, which establish a Police Authority for Jersey were brought into force in July 2013. The Law provides that the Police Authority shall consist of not less than 5 and not more than 7 members, comprising a Chairman, who is not an elected member of the States, appointed by the Minister; up to 4 members, not being elected members of the States, who are appointed by the Minister and the Chairman; and up to 2 members who are elected members of the States, appointed by the States by secret ballot. The post of Chairman was advertised locally and following short listing and interview, Advocate White was selected by an appointments board consisting of two members of the Appointments Commission, the Chief Officer, Home Affairs Department and an HR representative.
Resource Implications: The Jersey Police Authority has been allocated an annual budget of up to £100,000.
Action required: The Executive Officer, Home Affairs, to arrange for a press release concerning the appointment to be circulated to States Members and the media.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Police Authority: Chairman: Appointment

Report for the Minister for Home Affairs

Appointment of Police Authority Chairman

On 16 July 2013, the States approved the Appointed Day Act, which brought into force those Articles of the States of Jersey Police Force Law 2012 (‘the Law’), which establish a Police Authority for Jersey.

Article 5 of the Law provides that the Police Authority shall consist of not less than 5 and not more than 7 members, of which one shall be a Chairman, who is not an elected member of the States, and is appointed by the Minister for Home Affairs.

The position of Chairman of the Police Authority was advertised locally. A short listing process was undertaken in accordance with best practice and interviews were subsequently conducted by the Chief Officer, Home Affairs, two representatives of the Appointments Commission and a member of the HR staff.

Following interview, and after consultation with the Appointments Commission, as required by the Law, the role of Chairman of the Police Authority was offered to Advocate Jonathan White.

It is considered that Advocate White will bring valuable knowledge and experience to the position of Chairman, which is a challenging role. The appointment will be for a period of 4 years.

In accordance with provisions of the Law, the newly appointed Chairman, together with the Minister, will be responsible for appointing up to 4 members of the Authority, who are not elected members of the States. These posts will be advertised in the local media in September.

The remaining members of the Authority will be elected members of the States, appointed by the States by secret ballot on 10 September 2013. The Minister for Home Affairs has written to all States members, drawing their attention to the eligibility criteria for membership of the Authority as set out in Article 5(6) of the Law. Inter alia, the Connétables and any person who has been a police officer or honorary police officer during the last 5 years are ineligible.

A press release has been prepared, concerning the appointment of Advocate White and it is recommended that this be circulated to States Members and the media.

Executive Officer

Home Affairs

27 August 2013