Chief Officer, States of Jersey Police: Appointment

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made on 21st October regarding the appointment of the Chief Officer, States of Jersey Police

Decision Reference: MD-HA-2010-0069
Decision Summary Title :	Chief Officer, States of Jersey Police Proposition		Date of Decision Summary:	18 October 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Executive Officer Home Affairs		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Appointment of the next Chief Officer States of Jersey Police		Date of Written Report:	18 October 2010
Written Report Author:	HR Director Home Affairs		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Appointment of the Chief Officer, States of Jersey Police.
Decision(s): The Minister decided to propose the appointment of Mr Michael Bowron as Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police for a period of six years with effect from the 4th January 2011, and approved a report and proposition recommending the above appointment.
Reason(s) for Decision: The current Acting Chief Officer, States of Jersey Police is due to leave the Island at the end of December 2010. Following a recruitment and interview process that was overseen by the Appointments Commission, the panel involved in the appointment made a strong recommendation to the Minister that Mr Bowron be appointed to the role of Chief Officer, States of Jersey Police. Article 9 of the Police Force (Jersey) Law 1974 stipulates that the Chief Officer, States of Jersey Police, shall be appointed by the States.
Resource Implications: There are no additional financial or manpower implications arising from this proposition.
Action required: The Executive Officer, Home Affairs, to request the Greffier of the States to arrange for the attached Proposition to be lodged ‘au Greffe’ for consideration by the States on 16th November 2010.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Home Affairs
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):