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Statement on the trial verdict of Aaron Cusack07 July 2023
Head of Law Enforcement, Chief Officer Ruari Hardy, said:
Today a former Guernsey Police officer has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice in the Royal Court, following an investigation by the Professional Standards Department of the Guernsey Police.
Aaron Cusack was first arrested on 22nd October 2021, he did not return to duty and was suspended on 25th October 2021. Following a subsequent disciplinary process, Cusack was dismissed by me from the organisation.
On 18th February 2022 he was then charged with perverting the course of justice and three telecommunications offences under relevant legislation for not disclosing his device passcodes to investigating officers. On 19th January he pleaded guilty to each of the failing to disclose password offences. He will be before the Court for sentencing on 25th September 2023.
This conduct undermines the trust and confidence of our community in an organisation that is here to protect and serve and keep the most vulnerable safe. As shown in this case, Cusack did not do this and did not provide the level of service we should be delivering to members of the public: for that I publicly apologise. The behaviours of this specific individual do not reflect the values and high standards that the community rightly demands from us. This conduct and behaviour undermines the credibility and hard work of every serving officer and member of staff within Guernsey Police.
I know I speak for everyone within Guernsey Police and the wider Bailiwick Law Enforcement family who are members of our community when I say I am deeply disappointed in this former officer's actions while he was in our employment.
I would like to reassure the public and be clear, any member of our staff who does fall below the high standards we hold cannot and should not be in the position of trust within the community. As an organisation we will always take necessary action to identify and robustly deal with such conduct. Serving officers professionally identified and secured the evidence in this case which has led to this conviction.
Our management team took immediate action to suspend this officer as soon as practicable, and he was dismissed by me from service, also at the soonest opportunity.
I understand how the community will view this case, particularly in the context of the broader policing issues in the UK, but I am confident that the conduct of one individual does not reflect the commitment and dedication of the staff working within Guernsey Police in serving the community.