Why did Sussex Police wait 9 days to inform the public ?Surely Sussex Police have a duty to let Sussex residents know that their Chief Constable has retired ?Not very transparent and almost as if the Police have something to hide.
In the same document pack, there is a copy of the letter Jo Shiner wrote to the Sussex PCC on the 14th June 2024. The Sussex PCC replied on the 25th June 2024. The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 requires a transparent and open process. Why did the PCC stay quiet until the 10th September 2024 ?
I am still perplexed how the Chief Constable of Sussex Police can retire (and be rehired next month by the PCC), an Acting Chief Constable be appointed and the people of Sussex (and the UK) were not told.
Confirmation Hearing for the Proposed Chief Constable of Sussex Police (Pages 37 – 58)
On 10 September, the Panel was formally notified of the proposal of Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner to appoint a Chief Constable of Sussex Police. The attached report by the Clerk to the Panel provides details of the Panel’s role in the confirmation hearing for the proposed appointment of the Chief Constable of Sussex Police. The appendices and annexes to the report comprise information from the Police and Crime Commissioner regarding the proposed appointment. The Panel is to ask the candidate questions relating to their professional competence and personal independence.
On the 1st October 2024 Jo Shiner was reappointed as the Chief Constable of Sussex Police until 2027 after a short break under the Retire and Rejoin scheme.
The latest HMICFRS inspection of Sussex Police PEEL 2021/22 was published on the 13th April 2023 ? Should we continue to reward failure ? Is Jo Shiner the best person Sussex Police have for the job ?
“This way she can start claiming her pension and, on her return get her full salary without any pension deductions. Nice work if you can get it. If she has retired the job needs to go through the correct selection process.”
There was no announcement on the Sussex Police News website…..however the reason for the BBC news article and announcement may become clear. ⬇
An email was sent to the Sussex Police Media Team on Monday 9th September in relation to a Facebook post about gifts of Samosa’s to Crawley Police. The email also asked questions about the Senior Leadership including Chief Constable Jo Shiner missing from the Sussex Police website……
From: Dom Watts Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 10:06 AM To: media.hq@sussex.police.uk Cc: pcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk; PSD.Main@Sussex.pnn.police.uk Subject: Crawley Police and the Gifts, Gratuities and Hospitality Policy – Facebook Samosa Gifts
Dear Sussex Police Media Team
(cc Katy Bourne Sussex PCC and Sussex Police PSD)
I am a citizen journalist at the Ministry of Injustice website and also a Crawley resident. I am currently writing an article in response to a post made by Crawley Police on their Facebook page (As below) on Friday 6th September 2024 about gifts of Samosa’s to the Police on World Samosa Day (5th September 2024).
This Facebook post is another terrible social media post by Crawley Police, and is not a great optic for the Police at a time of greater scrutiny in light of public claims of two tier policing.
1.3 As a guiding principle, Police Officers, Special Constables and Police Staff must not accept the offer of any gift, gratuity, favour or hospitality without prior approval from the JFVU. This allows an independent assessment of any potential compromise or conflict of interest.
1.4 Offers of a gift, gratuity or hospitality vary widely and could range from a reasonable display of gratitude and common courtesy, which does not breach integrity of any party, through to criminal offences such as a breach of the Bribery Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
3.1 All gifts, gratuities and hospitality require approval from the JFVU before they can be accepted. Police Officers, Special Constables and Police Staff must complete an application form as soon as possible or within a maximum of 7 days from the receipt of the gift, gratuity or prior to any hospitality offered. The gift, gratuity or hospitality must remain with the applicant’s line manager, until approval has been given from the JFVU.
4.3 The Gift, Gratuity and Hospitality policy is intended to manage low value items only and as a guide an upper limit of £20 is considered appropriate.
Could you please provide any comments on the following please :-
Was advice Sought from the Joint Force Vetting Unit (JFVU) in accepting these gifts ?
Have these gifts been recorded by the JFVU ?
Did Superintendent Nick Dias or Chief Inspector Will Keating-Jones accept the gifts ? Was it another officer ?
Does the photo show all the samosa’s that were gifted ? How many Samosa’s were gifted ?
Was the health and safety of the Front Line officers considered when accepting these gifts ?
What is the benefit to policing in accepting these gifts ?
Do senior officers in Sussex Police regularly take time away from policing to accept freebies and photo opportunities ?
Could you please arrange for this page to be updated along with any missing bio’s. Can you please share any publicity photos of these senior officers ?
@PSD.Main@Sussex.pnn.police.uk If any offences have been committed by Superintendent Nick Dias, Chief Inspector Will Keating-Jones or any other officers, could you please furnish me with a crime number and PSD reference.
To be clear, I am not a racist or from the far right. My aunt is of Asian descent and makes brilliant Samosa’s !
Thanks for your time and I look forward to your response.
Regards
Email to Sussex Police Media Team 9th September 2024
Is news about gifts of Samosa’s more important to the public than the retirement of the Chief Constable ?
An email response was received from Sussex Police Media Team……..
From: <xxx.xxx@sussex.police.uk> Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 12:19 PM To: Dom Watts Cc: pcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk; PSD Main <PSD.Main@sussex.police.uk> Subject: RE: Crawley Police and the Gifts, Gratuities and Hospitality Policy – Facebook Samosa Gifts
Good afternoon Dom,
Thank you for your email. I hope this gives some clarification regarding the samosas which were received at Crawley police station from Ashwin Soni, Director of Diverse Crawley.
Samosas were delivered to police and other emergency services by Ashwin to help celebrate World Samosa Day.
Ashwin is a valued member of the community as well as a member of multiple independent advisory groups who work closely with Sussex Police.
This kind gesture was gratefully received by Superintendent Nick Dias and Chief Inspector Will Keating-Jones, who is the Hindu Faith lead for Sussex Police, as part of their ongoing engagements with the local community and stakeholders, a core part of senior officers’ duties.
The gift of around 40 samosas was inputted on the Gifts Register and forwarded to vetting for awareness.
Thank you for highlighting information on our website.
Will Keating-Jones was promoted to Chief Inspector, which will be reflected on the website. Superintendent Imran Asghar’s rank is correct.
In relation to the Chief Constable, please can I direct your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex?
I hope this answers any questions you may have. If you require any more information, please do let me know.
Many thanks
Email response from Sussex Police Media Team 9th September 2024
A follow up email was sent to the Sussex Police Media Team and the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner
From: Dom Watts Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2024 10:08 AM To: <xxx.xxx@sussex.police.uk>; pcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk Subject: RE: Crawley Police and the Gifts, Gratuities and Hospitality Policy – Facebook Samosa Gifts Importance: High
Good Morning xxx
Many thanks for your speedy reply, for clarifying the correct procedure was followed in relation to the “gifts” and for updating the Sussex Police Senior Leadership page.
I see that the reason for your response “In relation to the Chief Constable, please can I direct your request to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex?”
was answered by the BBC @ 1.32pm the same day
@pcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk Why did Sussex Police wait 9 days to inform the public ? Surely Sussex Police have a duty to let Sussex residents know that their Chief Constable has retired ? Not very transparent and almost as if the Police have something to hide. Could you please reply to me separately about this ?
Jo Shiner, Sussex Police Chief Constable, formally retired on the 31st August 2024 but will return in a month !
Why did Sussex Police wait 9 days to inform the public ? Not very transparent and almost as if the Police have something to hide? #Policehttps://t.co/8jZt4TcA49
The Sussex Police and Crime Panel met on Friday 27 September 2024 (10.30am start) at County Hall, Lewes. The deadline for residents to submit written questions is 12 noon on Friday 13 September 2024…..
From: Dom Watts Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2024 9:16 AM To: pcp@westsussex.gov.uk Subject: Written questions to the Sussex PCP Meeting 27th September 2024
Dear Sussex Police and Crime Panel
The deadline for residents to submit written questions is 12 noon on Friday 13 September 2024.
I am perplexed how the Chief Constable of Sussex Police can retire (and be rehired next month by the PCC), an Acting Chief Constable be appointed and the people of Sussex (and the UK) were not told.
Why did Sussex Police wait 9 days to inform the public via the BBC ? Surely Sussex Police have a duty to let Sussex residents know that their Chief Constable has retired ?
Is there something to hide ? Not very transparent and almost as if the PCC/Police have something to hide.
My questions to the Sussex PCP have been accepted….
From: Ninesh Edwards <xxx.xxx@westsussex.gov.uk> On Behalf Of Police Crime Panel Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2024 3:46 PM To: Dom Watts Cc: Tiffany Taylor ; Jack Bacon Subject: Your written Question
Hello again Dominic,
I can confirm that your question(s) have been accepted as written questions for the meeting on 27 September.
The PCC’s written response will be published just before the meeting (available via the link given in 3. below) and the members of the Panel can ask supplementary questions at the meeting, having read the Commissioner’s response.
You can follow the meeting live on 27 September via the webcast here: https://eastsussex.public-i.tv/core/portal/home. The meeting is being held in public, but the public can only observe (i.e. not participate). The meeting will be in Lewes, East Sussex, and will start at 10:30.
The papers for the meeting will be published here (on or around 19 September): https://sussexpcp.gov.uk/meetings/. As stated above, the report for the “Questions for the Commissioner” item will be updated on the morning of the meeting, to include the PCC’s written responses.
Jo Shiner Biography before Appointment as Chief Constable
Jo Shiner joined Sussex Police as Deputy Chief Constable at the end of 2018. She started her policing career in Norfolk in 1993, serving up to the rank of Chief Superintendent before transferring on promotion to Kent as Assistant Chief Constable in 2014.
Jo’s career in the police spans 28 years, during which time she has undertaken a wide variety of roles. These have predominantly been operational, both in uniform and within the Child and Adult Protection Unit, CID and as a firearms, public order and critical incident commander.
As Deputy Chief Constable, Jo is responsible for the smooth and effective running of Sussex Police, and delivering the services that the communities deserve. As part of this she is passionate about supporting local groups and addressing issues that really matter to our communities.
In January 2020 she took over the NPCC National Lead for the policing of Children and Young People. She is also the NPCC National Lead for police fitness.
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Dom Watts founded the Ministry of Injustice in July 2021. Dom is an IT Professional with 30+ years experience in Tier 1 Banking, Government, Defence, Healthcare and Global Blue Chips. Dom has no legal training and is not a lawyer but has previously consulted for a Magic Circle Law Firm. You can find Dom on X or Google.
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