Yesterday marked one year since the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry released its damning report into the failures of government, which left children exposed to abuse for decades.
And the police unveiled ten pledges to support young Islanders, including hosting a quarterly breakfast club and exploring setting up a police-mini-cadet scheme.
However, deputy police chief Julian Blazeby said that it was important that the scheme did not affect the Island’s policing budget and explained that the force had been discussing potential investment from companies.
Yesterday, around 60 primary school children from a number of schools visited police headquarters to learn more about the force and be shown around the station.
Mr Blazeby said: ‘As far as the police are concerned, we wanted to have our own commitment to children and young people.
‘We came up with the ten pledges because we recognise the role of police in the Island in relation to children and young people.
‘We are looking to get sponsorship for some of those pledges. Today, for example, the lunches were provided by a number of
local shops and businesses.
‘It is important that the plan doesn’t impact on the public purse. But the States police are willing to invest our time, because that is an important investment in our young people.’
He added that the police were ‘in conversation’ with some businesses to see how they could help fulfil the pledges.
The inquiry report made eight core recommendations to improve the
lives of young people in Jersey.
And Mr Blazeby said that listening to children – and ensuring they felt able to speak to police if they needed to – was the main message the inquiry’s report had provided.
‘One of the significant messages within that report was listening and hearing the child’s voice.
‘Our pledges are largely focused on that. That is one of the most significant recommendations we are taking on board,’ said the deputy chief officer.
