Dr. Peter Harris was appointed as the Bailiwick's first full-time Data Protection Commissioner, with effect from the 1st October 2001, following the retirement of Winston Bull, who had undertaken the role on a part-time basis. At the conclusion of his first term of office, he was re-appointed by the States for a second term that will expire at the end of September 2011.

Dr Harris believes the post will play an increasingly important role in securing international recognition of Guernsey as a well-regulated and reputable jurisdiction for conducting all sorts of business, especially e-commerce.

Following his appointment in 2001 he stated: "My main objective will be to play my part in ensuring that the rights of individuals are safeguarded with regard to information held about them and that personal data is processed accurately, fairly, lawfully and in timely fashion," he said. "I will be available to any individual who feels that information about them is being misused, whether that alleged misuse is happening locally or anywhere else in the world. I will also be happy to advise companies and organisations of their obligations under the new Data Protection Law which will come into force at the end of this year."

Prior to his appointment Dr. Harris was Manager of Information Services for the Advisory and Finance Committee, a post he had held since 1988.

Dr Harris has published research articles on electrical engineering, computing and management, is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Chartered Engineer and Chartered IT Professional. He remains an active member of the British Computer Society both at a local and national level.

The Data Protection Commissioner ensures conformity to local law and international treaties, working with relevant authorities in other jurisdictions and also representing Guernsey at international conferences and in meetings with the UK government.

The Commissioner is an independent public official reporting to the States via the Home Department and liaising with that Department, the Law Officers and the authorities in Alderney and Sark on the need for changes to legislation within the Bailiwick.

The Commissioner works with local organisations [data controllers] to promote data protection principles and codes of practice, investigates complaints from individuals [data subjects] and liaises with the Law Officers when a contravention of the law is suspected.  The attached document details his policy with regard to the public disclosure of information related to his work with individuals and organisations.

He also works closely with the UK Information Commissioner and his counterparts in Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man and promotes the international recognition of Guernsey by participating in international conferences of data protection and privacy commissioners..