Jersey Evening Post, 13 November 2008 by Andy Sibcy


Mr Power, who is due to retire in 18 months' time, at his home yesterday. Picture: Channel Television

STATES police chief Graham Power, who was suspended yesterday amid allegations that he failed in his duty to ensure that the historical child abuse inquiry was conducted properly, will fight back against all allegations, he has told the JEP.

Following the retirement of his former deputy, Lenny Harper, Mr Power was today the only person in the firing line as the Island sought answers to why the inquiry had apparently run so far out of control.

The former Home Affairs Minister, Senator Wendy Kinnard, who had political responsibility for the police until last month, has made no public statement and has not been contactable.

In an exclusive interview with the JEP published today, Mr Power said last night that he would vigorously contest all the allegations against him.

The suspension of Mr Power follows the revelations yesterday that the police have no evidence of any murders being committed at Haut de la Garenne and that none of the finds made there was in any way connected to allegations of abuse.

Speaking to the JEP at his St Helier home, Mr Power said that he had been offered the opportunity to retire rather than be suspended and face an inquiry.

'I am well past retirement age for a police officer,' he said. 'I was offered an option, but I have absolutely no intention of taking it. It is my intention to contest everything that has been said against me. I do not believe the suspension is justified and I do not believe that it was carried out in proper circumstances. I don't have to prove anything. The system is that I don't have to prove anything. The burden of proof rests on those who bring allegations. It is my intention to contest every allegation against me.'

Mr Power said that he could not hypothesise on whether he would speak up for Mr Harper in as vigorous a way as he intends to defend himself if Mr Harper was still in Jersey and had been suspended. However, he added: 'You just replay the tapes and find out how many times people have said that we don't know where this is leading, that we are not in a position to say that any crime has been committed. Just replay your own tapes.

'The important thing is that the abuse allegations are properly addressed, not only those linked to the historical abuse inquiries, but the victims of the 150 per cent increase that we have had in child abuse allegations through normal channels. It is important that people continue to have confidence in Jersey's criminal justice system.'

He said that, under the terms of the suspension documents, he could not comment on the nature of the allegations against him. However, it is understood that the suspension papers make absolutely no reference to any media statements made by Lenny Harper or anyone else.

Mr Power said that he was also not able to comment on the findings of Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, the new senior investigating officer in the inquiry, which were released to the world yesterday. He explained: 'I cannot comment, for example, on the review report of the Metropolitan Police because I have not seen it. These events occurred when I was out of the Island on family business or on holiday.'

Asked whether he would be represented over the coming weeks as allegations against him are investigated, Mr Power said: 'There is a process. I am in touch with senior colleagues in the UK. There is a system of support that exists in these circumstances.'

The chief of police, who was due to retire in 18 months' time and be replaced by deputy police chief David Warcup, was asked to attend a meeting with Home Affairs Minister Andrew Lewis in Cyril Le Marquand House yesterday morning. It was at the meeting that he was informed of the suspension.

Asked whether he was surprised by the minister's action, he said: 'It was one of a number of possibilities that could occur.' Mr Power said that he would be pleased to go back to work if he was exonerated by the inquiry into how the historical abuse inquiry had apparently run so far out of control.

'I would obviously prefer to do what I enjoy, which is leading what I consider to be a very fine police force with a very fine record,' he added. 'It has been decided that I cannot go to work, which is a disappointment to me. I will use my time to respond vigorously to all that is said against me.'

PROFILE


Graham Power's career in the police started in 1966 in the Middlesborough force, which went on to become part of Cleveland Constabulary.

He attended a special course for 'fast track' officers in 1975 and gained an MA honours degree in politics, philosophy and economics after studying at Queen's College at Oxford between 1976 to 1979.

He achieved the rank of Superintendent in Cleveland, and in 1988 he became Chief Superintendent in North Yorkshire. After attending a senior command course in 1991 he was appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders police.

From 1994 - when he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for distinguished service - to 1998 he served as that force's Deputy Chief Constable, and during that time was responsible for policing a number of major events, including the Commonwealth Conference.

During the two years which followed, he was Assistant Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, his role including advising ministers and reporting on the performance of Scottish forces. It was in December 2000 that he was appointed Jersey's police chief.

Mr Power is also a member of the States Corporate Management Board and represents the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man on the Association of Chief Police Officers Terrorism Committee. He is a candidate assessor for the Home Office police high-potential and strategic leadership programmes.

http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/11/13/ill-fight-back-warns-power/