"Standing army" not financially sensible, says Police Chief

Monday 27 February 2023

Jersey's most senior ranking policeman has said there "isn't a Police Chief in the world" who would turn down additional resources - but having a "standing army" in case of another major incident would not be financially sensible.

Police Chief Robin Smith's comments came shortly after the force confirmed it had over 1,000 lines of inquiry relating to the two major tragedies that struck the island in December.

This includes 380 relating to the investigation into the collision between Condor’s Commodore Goodwill and the L’Ecume II fishing vessel on 8 December – Operation Nectar – as well as 800 relating to the investigation into the Pier Road explosion on 10 December – Operation Spire.

Deputy Chief Minister Kirsten Morel has also praised front-line emergency services for the role they have played in responding to the recent incidents, and said he will be speaking to Home Affairs Minister Helen Miles "to gain a better understanding" of their resourcing needs.

Pictured: Police Chief Robin Smith said "in excess" of 70 police officers began working 12-hour shifts following the Pier Road explosion. 

Commenting on whether additional funding for the force should be considered, Mr Smith said: "I don't think there is a Police Chief in the UK, or indeed the world, who is not going to say [yes to] 'Would you like some more resources?' – we all would.

"That being said, you can't have a standing army – it's impossible and it certainly wouldn't be financially sensible to have a standing army for when the next big thing happens. So my job is to make that people are properly trained and good to go when the [next] thing happens."

Mr Smith has also revealed 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.

He added: "Certainly people pitched up and we were there quickly and we dealt with the job, so it isn't necessarily a question of would I like more cops because a Police Chief is always going to say they want more cops."

Pictured: Deputy Chief Minister, Kirsten Morel.

Deputy Kirsten Morel also praised the response of the police – and the emergency services in general – who he said had gone "above and beyond what was expected of them".

"There is no question that these incidents have pushed these services to their limits and further, but they did not shy away at any point – they have stepped up," he added.

"I will speak to the Home Affairs Minister to gain a better understanding of the resourcing needs for front line services and whether improvements are necessary."