Ex-honorary officer recognised for success in UK policing

Thursday 20 June 2024

An ex-honorary police officer has been recognised for his success in combatting crime as a voluntary Special Constable in England.

Ian Le Sueur, who served as an honorary officer for St Brelade between 2012 and 2017, was named Special Constable of the Year 2024 for his commitment to helping combat crime for Avon and Somerset police.

Winning ahead of eight other nominees, it is the fourth consecutive nomination Mr Le Sueur has receieved for the title.

Pictured: Mr Le Sueur has made dozens of arrests and apprehended organised crime groups as Special Constable.

Since moving to the UK, Mr Le Sueur's role as a Special Constable – a voluntary front-line position with similar powers to regular officers – has seen him volunteer over 6,000 hours and cover a 300 square-mile patch.

In the last 12 months, he has made dozens of arrests for various crimes, worked with policing intelligence teams, as well as apprehended organised crime groups.

Mr Le Sueur's award comes for his "integral" role in policing operations and his proactive attitude.

“Five years in St Brelade’s Honorary Police gave me a lot of experience and a good base on which to develop," he said.

"There are similarities between the two organisations, however, as Special Constables we are very much frontline and expected to deal with any scenario."

He explained: "I have to be able to deal with and contain a situation while waiting for that back-up to arrive, which is reflected in the level of training we receive, which is more rigorous than the Honorary Police."

Whilst volunteering as a Special Constable, Mr Le Sueur also juggles a full-time role as a Dispatcher for the same force.

"The two [jobs] compliment each other because I understand things from both sides," he said.

"My day job is six days on, four days off so in those four days I'll go out [as a Special Constable]."

In light of his award, Mr Le Sueur has also been nominated for the South-West regional ceremony for Special Constable of the Year 2024, to be held in October.

Reflecting on how his local Honorary volunteering has led him to this point, he said: "I still follow what my former colleagues in the Honorary police and I would encourage people to consider joining, especially the younger generation.

"It is a real confidence builder and can be very rewarding.”