Investigation over police 'cover-up' complaint

A complaint against two of Guernsey's most senior police officers is being investigated.

Former Portuguese translator Paul Oliveira's complaint against Chief Officer Damian Kitchen and Supt Liam Johnson made allegations of a "cover-up" by Guernsey Police management over the reason he was removed from his role in August.

The Committee for Home Affairs confirmed to the BBC an external force would be appointed to investigate the 69-year-old's complaint, which was submitted in January.

The BBC has approached Guernsey Police and the States for comment. Kitchen, saying he was speaking on behalf of himself and Johnson, said he "fully supported" Oliveira's right to raise a complaint.

Oliveira said he was told he had been removed as a translator over comments he made on social media about some of the senior figures at the States of Guernsey.

However, Oliveira said he did not believe this was the sole reason for the removal.

"Basically, all I want to know is the truth about who stopped me from being an interpreter," he said.

Home Affairs Vice President John Gollop said the committee considered the complaint during meetings on 3 and 17 March.

Gollop said in an email to Oliveira: "The committee convened in its capacity as 'appropriate authority' for complaints concerning senior ranking officers, which therefore includes both the chief officer and superintendent."

He added the authority did not consider there was reason to suspend either officer from service while the investigation took place.

Kitchen said he "fully supported" Oliveira's right to raise a complaint and he would do his utmost to provide answers.

"I obviously cannot comment on a live complaint, both for procedural reasons and, more specifically in this case, because I have not yet been served with an official notice detailing the nature of the complaint," he said.

The police chief criticised Home Affairs over its handling of the complaint, saying the information was given to the media before he was contacted.

Kitchen added: "I want to be clear - I support the need for the complaint to be considered for investigation.

"I do have serious questions about the application of the process and communication.

"I would expect to be treated with the same due process I insist on for others."

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