Michael Stevens, a former firefighter, began his honorary police career as a Constable’s Officer in St Saviour, before being elected to the St Martin force in March 1985 when he moved parishes.
He says he initially joined to ‘give something back’ to his community.
After a short time he became a Vingtenier – a role he has been in ever since, having been re-elected on ten occasions.
During his honorary career Mr Stevens has been the police co-ordinator for the St Martin bonfire since its inception and he has assisted with large Island events such as the Battle of Flowers, the Jersey International Air Display and the Jersey Marathon.
Since he retired from the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service after 33 years, he has spent an average of 50 Wednesdays every year –discounting his two weeks of holiday – at the public hall leading parish hall inquiries.
‘I think I am going to have to go to the pub every Wednesday now – I need a new routine,’ he said.
Mr Stevens is due to retire on 31 August when his latest term ends. The law dictates that officers can only be re-elected once after their 70th birthday, and can serve up to the age of 75. Now aged 73, Mr Stevens would therefore not be able to serve a full term before the compulsory retirement age so is ineligible to stand again.
‘The honorary police is busier now than it has ever been, like the States police probably, and after the reduction to some extent in numbers in the States police,’ he said. ‘The other thing that has changed during my time in the role, and it has changed for the better although it may put some people off, is there is a lot more training.
‘The days of the honorary police just being honorary and putting on a yellow jacket when there is an accident have changed so much.’
Mr Stevens said being a member of the honorary police required time and dedication but could be very rewarding.
His highlights in the job include dealing with a case involving a juvenile a few years ago and offering some stern words of advice to the youngster, after which the boy’s father asked to see him privately.
Mr Stevens had expected criticism, but the father shook his hand and thanked him for the way he had dealt with his son.
‘It was rewarding knowing you had done some good,’ he said. ‘One of the other things I have enjoyed is I have had quite a lot of action, if you call it that, with the Parish of St Helier assisting them with many events, and that is something I am going to miss.’
Asked how he intended to use his spare time after retirement, he said: ‘I hope to be able to do a lot more fishing and spend more time with my granddaughter.’
