Serving in the Honorary PoliceSèrvice dans la Police Honorifique

The Connétable is responsible for the efficient and effective policing of the Parish and will assemble the Honorary Police each month (a requirement of the Code of 1771). The Connétable does not exercise operational policing powers.

Duties

The duties of those who hold the office of Centenier, Vingtenier or Constable’s Officer include

• the protection of life and property,
• the preservation of the peace, and
• the prevention and detection of criminal offences.

To fulfil these duties they are granted extraordinary powers; the public and the Honorary Police therefore have a right to expect the highest standards of conduct from them.

Conduct and complaints

The Discipline Code in the Schedule of the Police (Honorary Police Complaints and Discipline Procedure) (Jersey) Regulations 2000 sets out the principles which guide officers’ conduct.

These principles include –

• Honesty and integrity.
• Fairness and impartiality.
• Politeness and tolerance.
• Use of force and abuse of authority.
• Performance of duties.
• Lawful orders, directives, etc.
• Confidentiality.
• Criminal offences.
• Property.‎
• Alcohol.
• Appearance.
• General conduct.

A complaint about the conduct of a member of the Honorary Police must be submitted to the Connétable of the parish for which that member is elected. A complaint may be made by –

(a) a member of the public;

(b) on behalf of, and with the written consent of, a member of the public; or

(c) by a member of the Force, port control officer or member of the Honorary Police otherwise than in the course of his or her duty.

The Connétable will –

• maintain a register of complaints;
• record the complaint in the register; and
• notify the Attorney General that the complaint has been made.

The Attorney General –

• may direct that the complaint be dealt with informally (if the conduct complained of would not justify a criminal charge or a disciplinary hearing) or
• shall notify the Police Complaints Authority of the complaint (an investigation is then carried out).

Disciplinary and appeal procedures are set out in the legislation (see jerseylaw.je).

Further details are available on the Law Officers website – please refer to: Honorary Police –

• Complaints process flow chart – complaint against Honorary Police officer in relation to policing matters issued November 2019;
• Code of conduct for Centeniers acting in a prosecutorial capacity – issued April 2018.

Duty week

Honorary Police officers are on duty for one week at a time, usually every 3 or 4 weeks depending upon the roster within the Parish, and are on call 24 hours a day during that period.

Policing tasks

Honorary Police officers are elected to serve the Parish and undertake policing within the Parish community. In certain circumstances officers may assist or operate outside the Parish. The tasks are varied and can include:

• Foot and mobile patrols
• Speed checks and road checks
• Licenced premises checks and curfew checks
• Visite du Branchage and Visite Royale
• Parish Hall Enquiries
• Policing local events and may also assist at major island events
• Searches for ‘missing persons’
• Responding to calls for assistance.

Officers are expected:

• to acquire the necessary skills and abilities to properly perform the duties required and this may include attendance at relevant training courses provided;
• to attend the monthly meeting chaired by the Connétable;
• to support the Connétable and Chef de Police in the delivery of the policing plan for the parish.

Find out more: contact the Connétable or Chef de Police of your Parish for further information.