The advert included explosions, firearms officers and a high-speed car chase under the slogan ‘redefine your usual’.
However, the video received widespread criticism from viewers, who said that the high-octane clip was an unrealistic portrayal of the force’s day-to-day work, with many highlighting Guernsey’s low crime rate and drawing comparisons with the British comedy film ‘Hot Fuzz’, which shows a city officers move to a sleepy rural village.
The response to the video was even picked up by national media. A report in The Times said: ‘The sleepy holiday island, best known for plump tomatoes and tranquil beaches, is depicted as a hotbed of crime and high-octane excitement in a one-minute video clip for the force’s latest recruitment campaign.’
Consequently, Guernsey Police Chief Officer Ruari Hardy made the decision to remove the video on Thursday afternoon. In a statement, he said: ‘I am aware of the community response to the images shown within the recruitment video. I can fully understand the representations made from people within our community and also in a broader context. The organisation had no intention to undermine public confidence in the island’s police service or the police service as a whole and I wish to reassure the public that the good traditions and service offered to the community by this organisation will continue.
‘I hope my actions have shown that I have listened to the community response by taking the video down.
‘Rather than allow the negativity concerning this video to continue and detract from our recruitment campaign, I have decided to remove the video from circulation so that focus can continue on our recruitment aims – we want to hear from people who want to redefine their usual and make a difference within the community.’
