On 16th April 2026, the Steering Group, co-chaired by His Excellency the Governor and the Chief Minister, met for the third time to review progress on implementation of the McGrail Inquiry Report’s recommendations and wider issues relating to the longer-term reform of the Governance of the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP). They also heard from His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Mr Lee Freeman KPM on work being undertaken in the UK on the reform of governance of police forces.

The Steering Group was advised that His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG) has implemented the recommendations that pertain to it within the hundred-day commitment made by the Chief Minister in January. As part of these changes, a flagship piece of legislation has been developed in the Public Service (Standards and Conflict of Interests) Bill, which is being published on Friday in the Gazette. The Bill has drafted by Daniel Greenberg CB who is currently serving as Commissioner for Standards in the House of Commons. Wide-ranging private and public consultation (including with the Government and Opposition) pursuant to a Command Paper issued by the Government, has helped shaped this work which uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity in public life in accordance with Recommendations 1 and 2 of the McGrail Inquiry Report. A protocol concerning the role of the Attorney General, addressing Recommendation 5, will also be published on Friday by the AG

The Steering Group was briefed by the chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority (GPA) on the recommendations that were assigned to the GPA. Peter Montegriffo KC outlined internal governance protocols to codify improvements in its ways of working (e.g. ensuring any conflicts of interest are recorded all meetings are fully minuted). Also, that the GPA has developed an induction pack and training for new members to ensure they know what is expected of them. The GPA has worked up a job description for a new role for a paid Director to act as the GPA’s principal professional advisor responsible for supporting the Chair and Members in discharging their statutory oversight of policing. The GPA has also worked together with the RGP in proposing a number of amendments to the 2006 Police Act to improve and update the current model of police governance. The GPA will discuss these in more detail on 29th April and will issue further information in due course.

The Steering Group was briefed by the Commissioner Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) on the excellent progress in implementing the recommendations arising from the Inquiry that are under the direct control of the RGP. The RGP will release more detail shortly but in summary, the RGP have implemented improvements to the quality of search warrant applications, enhanced senior officer oversight and revised application processes. These reforms have been embedded into day-to-day operational practice, providing clearer accountability, and increased assurance around decision- making in serious and sensitive cases. Other recommendations on RGP investigations continue to be work on with constructive collaboration with partner organisations. For example, the RGP is working with the Office of Criminal Prosecutions and Litigation (OCPL) and the Government on areas requiring procedural change, judicial engagement or investment. This reflects a shared commitment

to strengthening governance, safeguarding operational independence and ensuring the highest standards of legal compliance.

Mr Owain Richards (Commissioner of RGP) and Ms Samantha Sacramento (consultant to the Steering Group) recently attended the States of Jersey Police to review the Jersey policing operating model and governance framework. The visit focused on leadership, operational independence, accountability arrangements and performance oversight. The visit helped inform best practice from comparable jurisdictions that may be adapted appropriately for Gibraltar. The Steering Group is analysing the merits of a range of models and Jersey highlights the practical benefits for a small jurisdiction of a Police Board model with under pinning staff support.

As part of its prior commitment to consulting widely and leveraging the knowledge of subject-matter experts, the group heard from HMICFRS Mr Lee Freeman in an advisory capacity. Mr Freeman is in Gibraltar as part of a visit to both the RGP and Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) which has provided an opportunity to identify and share best practice and engage in constructive professional dialogue. He explained the rationale behind the UK’s move to abolish Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and outlined the motivations underpinning a new White Paper on police governance in the UK. He pointed to the synergy between community policing and the wider effectiveness of a police force. Furthermore, he also talked at length of the importance of the link between the governance of the police and political accountability which includes the alignment of resourcing. Again, it was clear that there are many benefits to a Police Board model and UK’s desire to ensure there is a strong link with local political accountability.

His Excellency the Governor said:

‘The Steering Group heard that good progress is being made on the implementation of the 29 recommendations of the McGrail Inquiry Report as those actions that relate to GPA and RGP; these will be reported on in more detail by the Government of Gibraltar, GPA and RGP. We also discussed matters of wider interest relating to the reform of the governance of the RGP. The recent visit to Jersey and HMICFRS’ presence in Gibraltar was a useful opportunity to understand better the changes underway elsewhere. The Steering Group will factor these views into the work on longer-term reform of the governance of the RGP, especially on the enduring utility of the Police Board model but acknowledging the benefits of ensuring a clear link with local political accountability’.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP said:

'The work of both updating the current Police Act and addressing how best to reform governance of the Royal Gibraltar Police is being done diligently and purposefully by all those who are engaged in the Steering Group, all of whom I thank for the dedicated manner in which they are delivering against tight deadlines in their respective work streams. I am very encouraged by the delivery already of so many of the Openshaw recommendations in relation to the Royal Gibraltar Police by Commissioner Richards and his team. The same is true of the recommendations relating to the Attorney General's advisory role and his work with the Director of Public Prosecutions to deliver a new Protocol which Counsel to the Inquiry, Julian Santos KC has been instructed to draft and is now also being published by the AG. The work being undertaken by the Police Authority under the direction of its Chair, Peter Montegriffo, is also laudably enabling us to deliver against both the agenda to modernise the governance of the RGP and to implement the relevant Openshaw recommendations or work towards that. I thank all who are working on these matters for their support. I was particularly grateful for the insights provided by Lee Freeman, whose experience and UK wide remit was very helpful indeed and will inform our work in coming weeks and months.'