Spitting assault on police branded "appalling"

Friday 29 May 2020

Jersey's Chief Police Officer has described his disgust at an incident in which a 34-year-old man spat into a policeman's face.

Alan Mundy pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court this week to the assault, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning. He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.

Today, Chief Officer Robin Smith praised the way the policeman handled it: “Assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty for, and on behalf of, Islanders, is always unacceptable.

“To spit in an officer’s face is utterly disgusting at any time and even more so during the time of a global pandemic.

“I have viewed the bodyworn video of the incident and was both appalled by what I saw and very proud of my officers’ professionalism in handling the situation.  They are a credit to the Force.”

The news comes as Jersey Police launch a crackdown on anti-social behaviour, dubbed "Operation Rockpool."

It will involve the States Police, as well as Honouraries and the Youth Service - officers will head to known "trouble spots" and take what's termed as a "more robust stance" on anyone who doesn't heed warnings. 

Pictured: Chief Inspector Mark Hafey, who will be leading Operation Rockpool.

They will be targeting those ignoring physical distancing rules, littering, displaying public drunkenness, anti-social behaviour and a "general disregard for authority."  

Chief Inspector Mark Hafey, who will lead the operation, said:  “There is rightly frustration amongst the law-abiding public about the behaviour we have seen of late.

“A growing minority of mainly young people are behaving appallingly and this is having a significant impact on the ability of other Islanders to enjoy our outdoor spaces.

“We have increased our resources over the coming days and will be focusing on known problem areas.

“Our policing approach – the Four Es - hasn’t changed but we will take enforcement action against those wilfully ignoring physical distancing rules and committing other offences”

Pictured: part of the focus for Operation Rockpool, will be groups not following physical distancing rules. 

The "Four Es" are: engage, explain, encourage, enforce.

The police are also asking the parents and guardians of teenagers to help them. CI Hafey added: “We welcome the support of parents and guardians as we seek to address these challenges together.   

“We recognise that moderating the behaviour of teenagers is hard but we ask that parents and guardians are actively engaging with their children to understand what they are doing, where they’re going, and to help them understand the impact of the behaviour we have seen of late.” 

The police are also investigating two separate alleged assaults on officers, apparently involving a kick and a head-butt. They say a 22-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy have been arrested and released on bail.