To say that the post of Chief Officer of the States of Jersey police has, in recent years, been uncomfortable, ranks as a considerable understatement.
The present acting chief, David Warcup, has decided that he does not want the job and the criticism which goes with it. His predecessor, Graham Power, left with an otherwise formidable reputation tainted by the fiasco of the Haut de la Garenne investigation.
There is, however, more to the present challenge of leading the Island’s force. The new man at the helm, who, it seems, will be City of London Police Commissioner Mike Bowron, will have to address issues of morale and confidence as he gets to grips with making sure that this community is policed as it should be.
If credentials are a guide to future performance, Mr Bowron certainly looks like the man for the job. His commanding role at Aldgate underground station in the wake of the 2005 terrorist bombings speaks of recognised ability. In addition, his current areas of expertise in combating economic crime and having regard for the reputation of the City as a well-policed and a well-regulated centre are of obvious relevance to this Island’s policing.
But, as Mr Bowron will doubtless recognise, he will have to win the confidence of a number of groups if he is to succeed. He must convince police officers at all levels of seniority that he is a man that they can trust. He must be capable of countering any mistrust stemming from those politicians who seem to sense high-level conspiracies at every turn. Above all, his handling of a force that has been tested to the limit by a succession of scandals on a variety of scales must prove to the Jersey public that he has the skills to inspire a fresh start.
Mr Bowron deserves every encouragement and all possible support when he dons the chief’s uniform next year, but we should acknowledge our debt of gratitude to Mr Warcup, who leaves in December.
The acting chief’s role in the suspension of Mr Power has attracted a great deal of flak and, very reasonably, he has made it clear that he has no interest in weathering further insults and accusations. In spite of his decision, we should remember that it was he, with investigating office Mick Gradwell, who unpicked the damaging, costly and tragic mess that the Haut de la Garenne inquiry had become by the time its misguided prime mover, Lenny Harper, had left the Island.
The present acting chief, David Warcup, has decided that he does not want the job and the criticism which goes with it. His predecessor, Graham Power, left with an otherwise formidable reputation tainted by the fiasco of the Haut de la Garenne investigation.
There is, however, more to the present challenge of leading the Island’s force. The new man at the helm, who, it seems, will be City of London Police Commissioner Mike Bowron, will have to address issues of morale and confidence as he gets to grips with making sure that this community is policed as it should be.
If credentials are a guide to future performance, Mr Bowron certainly looks like the man for the job. His commanding role at Aldgate underground station in the wake of the 2005 terrorist bombings speaks of recognised ability. In addition, his current areas of expertise in combating economic crime and having regard for the reputation of the City as a well-policed and a well-regulated centre are of obvious relevance to this Island’s policing.
But, as Mr Bowron will doubtless recognise, he will have to win the confidence of a number of groups if he is to succeed. He must convince police officers at all levels of seniority that he is a man that they can trust. He must be capable of countering any mistrust stemming from those politicians who seem to sense high-level conspiracies at every turn. Above all, his handling of a force that has been tested to the limit by a succession of scandals on a variety of scales must prove to the Jersey public that he has the skills to inspire a fresh start.
Mr Bowron deserves every encouragement and all possible support when he dons the chief’s uniform next year, but we should acknowledge our debt of gratitude to Mr Warcup, who leaves in December.
The acting chief’s role in the suspension of Mr Power has attracted a great deal of flak and, very reasonably, he has made it clear that he has no interest in weathering further insults and accusations. In spite of his decision, we should remember that it was he, with investigating office Mick Gradwell, who unpicked the damaging, costly and tragic mess that the Haut de la Garenne inquiry had become by the time its misguided prime mover, Lenny Harper, had left the Island.
Ian.
ReplyDeleteThe good old JEP Who earn in excess of £300,000 a year from the States. They do as they are damn well told! Rubbishing the Child Abuse investigation and the cops involved has always been priority number one of their paymasters. They just can't accept that the truth is out, with plenty more to come!
The Paedo Protectors said
ReplyDelete"If credentials are a guide to future performance, Mr Bowron certainly looks like the man for the job."
Did they not say that about Graham Power?
"He must convince police officers at all levels of seniority that he is a man that they can trust."
ReplyDeleteNow, what exactly does that mean?
It is all irrelevant Unless he can dance the Jersey Way
ReplyDeletemore like mike bowdown
ReplyDeletethis is a man who didn't investigate why the floor of a train carriage would blow up into that carriage when the supposed bomb was inside the carriage
the perfect man for the job of c.o.p jersey
I wont wish him luck he knows what he is letting himself in for of that I have no doubt.
ReplyDeleteWill he investigate the land dealing allegations?
ReplyDeleteIt would be rather unfair to form any opinion at the present time, let us see how he deals with corruption.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that "ALL" the survivors will come forward and lodge a formal complaint against certain States members, police officers and a whole host of child abusers, then we will see what Mr Bowron is made of!
FILTHY, FILTHY RAG.
ReplyDeleteI just think what a coincidence that the new chief of police was on holiday in the island with his wife just before the post was offered!
ReplyDeleteIan it is not about forming opinion. The public opinion will not matter. Nor about how he deals with corruption. It will be out of his control as things stand.
ReplyDeleteThe acting chief’s role in the suspension of Mr Power has attracted a great deal of flak and, very reasonably, he has made it clear that he has no interest in weathering further insults and accusations. In spite of his decision, we should remember that it was he, with investigating office Mick Gradwell, who unpicked the damaging, costly and tragic mess that the Haut de la Garenne inquiry had become by the time its misguided prime mover, Lenny Harper, had left the Island
ReplyDeleteand your evidence for this statement is ?
[He must be capable of countering any mistrust stemming from those politicians who seem to sense high-level conspiracies at every turn. ]
ReplyDeleteHe will have to investigate any alleged claim with supporting evidence. As for any countering mistrust, that is not his job!!
[Above all, his handling of a force that has been tested to the limit by a succession of scandals on a variety of scales must prove to the Jersey public that he has the skills to inspire a fresh start.]
Yes, a fresh look at the reported corruption, a fresh look at all allegations of abuse, a fresh start with a full investigation into planning conspiracy/corruption.
Lets face no amount of experience in dealing with potential terrorists or dealing with the aftermath will help in dealing with 'cover-ups' of abuse etc...
Ian, why does http://ianlevans.blogspot.com/ start at 31st May now - where's the more recent stuff gone?
ReplyDeleteGood question
ReplyDeleteI am starting a post called "The O'bar Incident" at the weekend.
This is the BIG ONE, the one where I caught witnesses out comitting perjury through manipulation from the police, coppers rewriting statements without the knowledge of the witness, policemen doctoring other evidence, States (so called) experts giving false evidence against me, and to top it all, the Judicial Greffe of the Royal Court doctoring my trial tapes before sending them for transcription to the mainland, AMONGST OTHER LITTLE INDISCRETIONS THAT I NOW KNOW ABOUT !!!
My first blog is for my own story, anything else can be put on here from now on.
OH!, I forgot, being shat on by Advocates as well, and of course, some blackmailing me into silence!
ReplyDeleteIan.
ReplyDeleteThis all sounds like a massive story that would be of great interest to any "JOURNALIST". Have you been contacted by ANY "accredited" media?
Perhaps you should also bring it to the attention of Mike Bowron, if/when he becomes "anointed"?
Hi VFC
ReplyDeleteNO, is the simple answer to the "accredited media" question, in fact, they did a "spiffing job" of covering it up at the time. I did, however, retain the paper cuttings!
Subsequently, the Avon & Somerset Police came over to investigate the alleged crimes, then left after delivering the case file to the Attorney General, Mr Michael Birt Q.C (our new Bayleaf).
Mr Birt has, since taking delivery of this report 12 years ago, refused to furnish me with a copy, or a view to any of it's contents.
Indeed, he went so far as to proclaim it, "NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST", I wonder WHY?