Thursday 30 January 2014
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Home Department Minister, has issued the following statement.
"I fully endorse Patrick Rice as Guernsey's Head of Law Enforcement. He came to the island to do a difficult job at a difficult time and has many achievements to be proud of: his Neighbourhood Policing initiative has been a success, his work to reform the delivery of law enforcement services at a reduced cost to the taxpayer is producing real results and the lead he has provided to the Lagan fraud investigation has been key to bringing us to a position where two men have been charged with defrauding the States of Guernsey and are awaiting trial.
A matter of potential misconduct involving the Head of Law Enforcement was brought to the attention of the Department and an independent investigation was undertaken by a Chief Constable of a UK police force, under the supervision of the Guernsey Police Complaints Commission. Following the conclusion of that investigation the States of Guernsey, in its capacity as employer, has taken the appropriate action and this matter is now closed.
The rumours about Mr Rice's conduct in respect of this and other matters are understood by the Board to be unfounded and potentially damaging to the reputation of Mr Rice, the Police and the GBA. I would also wish to make it clear that no complaints have been received from any other jurisdictions. It is now for us all to support him in continuing to deliver first class law enforcement for Guernsey."
The following clarification was issued on the 31st January 2014:
"I would like to clarify that the Appropriate Authority has taken Management Action in relation to Patrick Rice under the Police Complaints Law. I would also wish to clarify that my use of the word "unfounded" relates only to the allegation of gross misconduct and to other unsubstantiated rumours regarding Mr Rice which are currently circulating the Island"
