THE States police have introduced the latest recruits to the force: two ‘cut-out’ traffic cops…
The 2D constables begin their shifts next week in a bid to deter speeding drivers.
The life-size metal cut-outs, wearing high-viz clothing and holding speed guns, will be attached to lamp posts in areas identified as speeding ‘hot-spots’.
‘PC Flats’ are expected to go on duty over the next few weeks alongside high-visibility patrols and existing speed enforcement measures, with the States police stressing that the ‘cut-out’ constables were not replacing real officers.
Police said they anticipated a ‘mixed response’ over the new recruits, who cost £250 each.
Roads policing lead Inspector Callum O’Connor said: ‘Keeping our roads safe for Islanders is one of our top priorities, these cut-out cops are an additional tool we can use alongside our more traditional policing methods.
‘We appreciate that motorists will quickly realise that PC Flat is in fact, just a cut-out, but we hope when they are spotted, it will remind those drivers who regularly speed to slow down. This is a relatively new initiative that’s only been used in the UK several times, but it’s a different idea we are keen to try as part of our general road safety and accident prevention work. We hope it will act as a reminder to motorists to check their speed and raise awareness around speeding to keep our roads safe.’
He added: ‘We anticipate a mixed response from Islanders about the cut-outs and perhaps questions why we need to use them instead of real officers, but the reality is they aren’t replacing officers doing speed checks they are complementing existing policing activity in response to local concerns about speeding. If our PC Flats prevent one collision, then they have done their job.’
Cut-out police officers have been used by several other forces in both England and Scotland.
With over 600 drivers being reported for speeding in Jersey last year, the States police said they hoped this initiative would help keep Islanders safe.
