Use of force most common complaint against police

Complaints about officers using force remain the most common issue raised with Guernsey's police watchdog, according to its latest annual report.

The Police Complaints Commission said most complaints it considered in 2025 related to the use of force, alongside officers' treatment of members of the public and the handling of sensitive information.

The commission supervised eight investigations during the year, down from 12 in 2024 and 19 in 2023.

It said some complaints appeared to arise from "misunderstandings about police powers".

The findings are similar to those in the commission's 2024 report, which also found that most complaints related to officers' use of force during arrests.

In 2024, Guernsey Police said an officer's handling of an incident involving a motorist was "totally inappropriate" after bodycam footage was shared on social media.

The report said officers often have to "act in the moment, on the information they have at that time" and that people can be "quick to judge without having all the information".

It said members of the public might not be aware of the "legal framework, decision-making requirements, and thresholds" that guide officers, particularly when force is used.

It added that whenever force is used, officers are required to complete formal reports, which are reviewed to ensure compliance with policies and identify any emerging concerns.

Four appeals against complaint assessments were lodged in 2025.

Two appeals were upheld after the commission found the police complaints process had not been followed correctly.

No complaints were received about senior officers during the year.

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