Alderney officer placed on gardening leave

Posted Mon 26th April 2010 at 21:30

Alderney's top officer has been suspended by Guernsey Police.

Sergeant James Priest has been placed on gardening leave after a complaint was made by a member of the public.

Detective chief inspector Nigel Taylor, of Guernsey Police, said: "I can confirm that a police sergeant has been suspended from duty pending further internal disciplinary action. Clearly it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

An investigation into the complaint against Sgt Priest has been conducted by the Police Professional Standards Department. A report is expected in mid-May, by which time a behind-closed-doors hearing will take place.

Speaking at his Alderney home this afternoon, Sgt Priest said: "I cannot comment on the issue being investigated. However, I can say that since I arrived in the island I have - and will always - support the best interests of Alderney."

Sgt Priest was appointed Alderney's chief of police 15 months ago. During his tenure recorded crime in the island has reduced, while arrests have increased. He has also introduced neighbourhood policing to the island.

7 comments on this article

Create a unique icon for your replies at gravatar.com

Kinsey | Tue 25th May 2010
I sincerely hope that the person that made the compaint is really feeling good about it. There are "serious" things to complain about on Alderney but no one seems to bother, let's just pick on someone who is doing a good job for the local community and stir up as much trouble for that person as possible. I really think it is time that certain Alderney residents get their priorities right for the sake of the community, yes I was once a resident and could see the good work that this officer was doing, work that others have tried and miserably failed. !!!!


Create a unique icon for your replies at gravatar.com

Andy | Mon 24th May 2010
Did you know you can become a Policeman with no qualifications whatsoever but of course give him the benefit of the doubt.


Create a unique icon for your replies at gravatar.com

truthseeker | Mon 17th May 2010
Sgt Priest has done an awful lot for the community in Alderney as well as helping reduce crime, its time for the community to stand by him he has not broken any laws and this needs to be remembered-so please give the guy a break and stand behind him as otherwise the community may just get what they deserve a non caring, Guernsey agenda driven police chief a mile away from this responsible community police chief.


Create a unique icon for your replies at gravatar.com

Bemused | Tue 11th May 2010
Is the law guilty before proven innocent?. Does no one think that the poor bloke may be innocent of all allegations and it s just down to plain old fashioned politics!.The above comments are typical of small island thoughts. No one likes a critic!


Create a unique icon for your replies at gravatar.com

Andy | Wed 5th May 2010
Police Officers tend to be drawn from the uneducated and therefore make poor decisions generally. Also like the judiciary they tend to be controlling types which doesnt tend to make for good community policing.


Create a unique icon for your replies at gravatar.com

DayDream Believer | Fri 30th April 2010
So whats new. When it comes to governments, local authorities or anyone else in power investigating their own kind.

So much easier to wash your dirty laundry at home.

What makes me laugh is that these people actually think we believe the outcome, and they wonder why people don't bother voting!!!!!!.

Well at least 'his' roses will come up smelling nice this year!!


Create a unique icon for your replies at gravatar.com

Robert McDowall | Wed 28th April 2010
"A report is expected in mid-May, by which time a behind-closed-doors hearing will take place."

oh dear! more evidence of lack of transparency in conduct of public affairs in Alderney.


Post a comment on this article

Your email addess is never published or given to third parties.

Name or nickname *

Email address *

Comment

Verification:

Please enter above code in box below

Disclaimer: Please ensure your comment relates to the story it accompanies. If it is not relevant it will not be approved. We will add as many comments as we can but do not guarantee a comment will appear. The Journal reserves the right to edit comments. Comments are not representative of the views of the Alderney Journal


Next story: Alderney finally gets ferry service

Previous story: Alderney needs £2m to build leisure centre

Half price back issues
Back issues up to and including
issue 930 of the Journal are now half price

The Journal's first States Survey

The Journal believes this is an opportune moment to conduct a survey of the States. The aim is to help the States, its members and those who are considering standing for election. Click here to vote!

The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on Tuesday 31st August and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.

Alderney Journal Ltd, 2A Ollivier Court, Ollivier Street, Alderney

Website designed and hosted by Alderney Web & IT Services