The parish commissioned a replica ‘Baton de Justice’, which dates back two centuries, to honour Charles Dix’s honorary police record.
The Baton de Justice was introduced by a former Lieutenant-Governor, General Sir George Don, when he was overseeing the extensive road building programme to fortify the Island against the threat of attack from France in the early 19th century.
In return for helping his soldiers to quell a riot among the labourers, General Don presented the Island’s Centeniers with batons bearing their respective parish crests as a symbol of authority.
The replica baton was handed to Mr Dix at a parish assembly by the Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache.
‘It has been my privilege to serve this parish for over half my adult life, and I have had the pleasure
of serving five Constables and with over 60 Grouville honorary officers,’ Mr Dix said.
‘I could only have done so with the great support of family, colleagues and a very broad-minded employer, the Sigma Group, which always accepted that there would be times when I was immediately needed.’
Mr Dix began his service as a Constable’s Officer before going on to serve nine terms of office as a Centenier. He retired earlier this year.
‘Charles Dix was a very conscientious member of the Grouville honorary police and spent many hours on duty over very many years,’ Grouville Constable John Le Maistre said.
‘He was a well-respected Centenier and was not only good in the parish, but also very accomplished when presenting cases in court. At the time of his retirement he was the longest-serving Centenier in the Island.’
Meanwhile, Centenier Brian Godfrey was presented with a nine years’ service medal at the assembly and David Ryan, who recently retired from the honorary police, received a medal for 18 years’ service.
The Bailiff was also asked to unveil a plaque in Grouville’s parish hall to
commemorate the service of former Constable Frank Amy. Mr Amy, who died in 2010, served the parish for more than 15 years, first as a Centenier and then as Constable for 11 years.
