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Two years on from major incidents that necessitated a large-scale emergency services response and multiple criminal investigations, support for civilian staff and officers – including those affected by trauma – remains a key focus for the police's wellbeing lead.
Chief Inspector Chris Beechey said the force's wellbeing strategy had been "enhanced" following tragedies that struck the island in December 2022.
This included the collision between Condor’s Commodore Goodwill and the L’Ecume II fishing vessel on 8 December – Operation Nectar – as well as the Pier Road explosion on 10 December, Operation Spire.
Pictured: States police officers and staff holding a minute's silence in December 2022 in memory of those killed by the Haut du Mont explosion.
In addition to the force's role in the immediate emergency response, recovery efforts and support provided to the families of those who died, the subsequent criminal investigations required a significant amount of police work that included the collation of physical evidence.
Police Chief Robin Smith previously stated that, from the moment of the explosion, "in excess" of 70 police officers began working 12-hour shifts and continued doing so for the next six weeks – including over the festive period.
"Support for those who responded, and indeed the support for those who have experienced any form of reaction or trauma to the events of two years ago, continues to this day," Chief Insp Beechey said.
"When we experienced the major incidents, it was very clear from day one and from talking to those who had experience of similar incidents in the past – [who] were able to advise and guide both the police service and other emergency responders and indeed the public and beyond – that this was a start of a very long journey.
"Whenever we talk about the impact in-house, we often describe a five to 10-year journey that we're likely to experience the effects of.
"The range of support that is now available across the organisation has been both enhanced because of what happened, but as part of our ongoing wellbeing strategy has naturally developed into something that is very comprehensive."
Pictured: Chief Inspector Chris Beechey is wellbeing lead for the States of Jersey Police.
Chief Insp Beechey explained that this strategy encompassed a collective range of support initiatives.
"We have specialist counsellors, we have a government AXA [healthcare] referral process. We have our own wellbeing team that is in a position to talk and provide advice," he continued, adding that charities such as Rock2Recovery also provided support.
"One of the important elements that we run in-house is called TRIM [Trauma Risk Incident Management].
"It's a program that began in the military, that is now developed into blue light services that enables our own in-house trained staff to both recognise when someone has been affected by a particular incident.
"[It] then provides a structured program in order to help that individual work their own way through and develop their own path in order to manage the symptoms and the effects that they are now feeling as a result of that incident."
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