Deputy chief officer Roly Jones is the Island’s longest-serving policeman, having joined 37 years ago.His successor is likely to be Chief Supt Lennie Harper.
Although he is the only candidate he will still have to undergo an interview board and assessment on 2 July.When the chief superintendent’s post was advertised and filled last year it was on the understanding that the successful candidate would be groomed for the deputy chief’s job.
Despite that, the police still sought the advice of the independent Appointments Commission, although they were not required to do so as senior police appointments are outside its remit.Commission chairman Mike Liston said he was content with the decision not to advertise the post.’We took the view that it was only relatively recently that the superintendent’s post was filled and we were satisfied that it was unlikely that even if advertised there would be an improvement on the 69 applicants who went for that job; the net would be cast in the same pool,’ he said.However, the Commission did recommend that Mr Harper should be put through a ‘rigorous’ assessment and Commission member Advocate Rose Colley will join former RUC chief Sir Ronnie Flanagan as a member of the interview board.Mr Jones, who is 56, was due to retire at the end of the year but has accepted a job from September as lead assessor for the Jersey Business School, which is based at Highlands College.
The full-time post involves teaching and assessing students.
DedicationChief officer Graham Power has paid tribute to his dedication and impact over four decades of policing.’Roly has become the familiar face of policing in Jersey and will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues, who all wish him and his wife Amanda every happiness for the future,’ he said.Mr Jones joined the police in 1966 and rose steadily through the ranks to become deputy chief in 1998.
