Dedicated community police officers appointed in each parish

Saturday 12 December 2020

Each of Jersey's 12 parishes are set to have their own community police officers.

30 new police officers have been recruited, 16 of whom will join the Community Policing Teams, thanks to Government funding granted last year.

The officers will have time dedicated to spend specifically within their parishes to focus on building relationships with its residents, while working alongside key partners to address issues that matter most to those residents. 

Parishioners will have regular opportunities to speak to their dedicated officer while on duty and will also be able to contact them by email, telephone or face-to-face during regular police surgeries.

Pictured: The officers will have time dedicated to spend specifically within their parishes.

Chief of Police Robin Smith said the initiative had been a top priority for the force and thanked Home Affairs Minister Constable Len Norman and the Jersey Police Authority for their support.

“Our recent recruitment drive has enabled us to reinvigorate our Community Team and despite the challenges of COVID-19, which made us even more determined to introduce this for Islanders when it is needed the most, we have delivered,” he added.

“Providing each Parish with a dedicated officer will ensure we stay connected with our communities and deal with the issues that matter the most to them. 

“Community policing is very much about getting ‘back to basics’ and is an integral part of our policing culture and tradition. I look forward to the positive impact that the investment into such a core team will have on the island.”

Pictured: The Chief of Police, Robin Smith, said the initiative had been a top priority for the force.

A ‘buddy’ system has already been established so that a pool of select community officers can provide cover in other parishes, should the need arise. 

The four other officers on the Community Policing Team will be assigned to work with the island’s schools and young people. 

“Community policing remains at the heart of what States of Jersey Police excel in doing; engaging with islanders to prevent crimes and problem solve,” Constable Len Norman said. 

“I’m very pleased that the additional Government funding has enabled the force to strengthen in numbers, and allow for a dedicated officer for each parish to serve our islanders.” 

Jason Lane, Chair of the Jersey Police Authority, added: “There is no doubt that the return of a dedicated community policing team is something that the public wanted and I’m delighted to see its reintroduction at a time when support for those most vulnerable in our community should be at the forefront of all our efforts.” 

Pictured: “We hope that more people will sign up in the coming months,” Grouville Constable, John Le Maistre, said.

Meanwhile, Grouville is looking to recruit two Centeniers and seven more Honorary Police officers.

It comes on the heels of an island-wide recruitment campaign launched in February to find 91 new officers.

Constable John Le Maistre said the parish had been delighted with the response to the campaign, which had led a number of fully trained officers to join its ranks. 

“We hope that more people will sign up in the coming months,” he added. “The priority now is to fill the office of two Centeniers, as it is a legal requirement for us to have four. It is an interesting and rewarding role and it is the most senior rank in the Honorary Police. 

“I would like to encourage and invite parishioners to apply or to come and have a chat to find out more.”

Pictured: Grouville's newest recruits, Tracy Laurent and Akim-Maria Ellah.

Akim-Maria Ellah is a new Honorary Police Officer who has just completed his training. 

“I’m really proud to serve my local community,” he said. “We need more Centeniers and officers too and I can say from first-hand experience that it’s such a positive way for people to support their parish and to make a difference. I am really enjoying it. 

Mr Ellah also encouraged local businesses to support their employees so they can volunteer: “My employer JTC is really supportive of its employees doing voluntary work in the local community and they have provided the necessary support to enable me to be involved.”

Tracy Laurent is also a new recruit, who trained alongside Mr Ellah. “I’ve really enjoyed the training and I have learnt so much over the past three months,” she said.

“We all support and look out for one another. It’s such a great team. I was encouraged to sign up and I am so pleased that I did.

“I have already been involved in a couple of situations that have really helped people and that means a lot to me. It is a great feeling to be able to give something back.”