In May 2021, the JEP reported that – following renewed recruitment efforts – Grouville had gone from being at risk of being fined for not having enough officers to having its largest force for around 20 years, with an 18-strong complement.
Today, however, the number stands at 11, comprising four Centeniers, three Vingteniers and four Constable’s Officers.
The official number of serving officers for Grouville, prescribed in statute, is 20: four Centeniers, four Vingteniers and 12 Constable’s Officers.
Constable Mark Labey stressed that the volunteer work of the honorary police was a “crucial” part of parish life, pointing to their role in helping with the responses to Storm Ciarán and Storm Goretti as an example of “the sort of thing we rely on them to do”.
“They are such an important part of each and every community and I think to be a member of them would be a really special thing to do,” he added. Reflecting on the depleted force, he said: “We’ve got a great force now; we’ve got four Centeniers, three Vingteniers and the Constable’s Officers as well.
“So we’ve done OK, but we just need to do a little bit better.”
Mr Labey explained that he would like to see “a minimum of 12” serving officers.
His comments come shortly after a Scrutiny review of the services provided by parishes.
In a submission, the Constables’ Committee complained of “unacceptable” costs and “unrealistic” expectations being pushed onto volunteer forces, accusing States police of introducing new systems and then expecting the honorary police to “do likewise” – and pay for it – despite parishes already funding their own officers, equipment and training.
The review panel concluded that the honorary system “delivers substantial public value and cost efficiency”, but faces “recruitment, training and funding pressures that raise legitimate questions about long-term sustainability and Islandwide resilience”.
