GUERNSEY POLICE UNDER PRESSURE TO RELEASE FOOTAGE
Pressure is growing on Guernsey Police to release footage of an incident where a woman claimed she was knocked unconscious when she fell after being pushed by a police officer.
Former Chief Minister Gavin St Pier said he can’t see any reason why the body cam footage and CCTV of the incident in St Peter Port in February shouldn’t be shared.
Journalist Dr Rebecca Tidy researched the incident and has spoken to the woman involved, and said “the woman wants the footage to be released to the media.”
Guernsey Police have been approached and are expected to comment later.
Mr St Pier said the reluctance to publish the footage indicated a culture of secrecy within the States.
He said: “I have spoken more generally of the culture within the public service which is very defensive. I believe this may be playing out again in this case.
“It appears in reaction to complaints it effectively involves the public service shutting down. It involves a corralling of the wagons to the public and that does not help build public confidence in the public service.
“The accusation that is laid out is a serious one. Clearly if there is footage the only way to clarify whether the force was excessive is to release the footage, it’s as simple as that.”
Deputy Chief Minister Heidi Soulsby said she is conducting inquiries to get more information about the incident.
She posted on social media: “This is very concerning. I can see no reason why the body cam footage can’t be released.”
President of Guernsey’s Chamber of Commerce Di De Garis agreed the footage should be released: “This is very concerning. Only one acceptable response from Guernsey Police to address these accusations.”
For the last few years Mr St Pier has been looking into transparency within the States of Guernsey and last week said the States should be more forthcoming with information.
He commended a decision by the freedom of information appeals panel which requested the legal fees incurred by the States when protecting a number of police officers should be revealed.
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2024-05-08T05:59:58Z dg43tfdfdgfd