Serving in the Honorary PoliceSèrvice dans la Police Honorifique
The Connétable is responsible for the efficient and effective policing of the Parish and will assemble the Honorary Police each month (a requirement of the Code of 1771). The Connétable does not exercise operational policing powers.
Duties
The duties of those who hold the office of Centenier, Vingtenier or Constable’s Officer include
- the protection of life and property,
- the preservation of the peace, and
- the prevention and detection of criminal offences.
To fulfil these duties they are granted extraordinary powers; the public and the Honorary Police therefore have a right to expect the highest standards of conduct from them.
Conduct and complaints
The Standards of Professional Behaviour are in Schedule 2 of the Police (Complaints and Conduct) (Jersey) Law 2022 https://www.jerseylaw.je/laws/current/l_24_2022 sets out the principles which guide officers’ conduct.
These principles include –
- Honesty and integrity
- Authority, respect and courtesy
- Equality and diversity
- Use of force
- Orders and instructions
- Duties and responsibilities
- Confidentiality
- Fitness for duty
- Discreditable conduct
- Challenging and reporting improper conduct
A complaint about the conduct of a member of the Honorary Police must be submitted to the Connétable of the parish for which that member is elected. A complainant is any of the following –
(a) a member of the public who claims to be the person in relation to whom the act took place;
(b) a member of the public not falling within sub-paragraph (a) who claims to have been adversely affected by the act;
(c) a member of the public who claims to have witnessed the act;
(d) a person acting on behalf of a member of the public described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (c); or
(e) a member of the Force, a member of the Honorary Police or a designated person acting otherwise than in the course of his or her duty.(a) a member of the public;
A complainant is adversely affected if he or she –
(a) suffers any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience; or
(b) is put in danger, or otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.
The Connétable will –
(a) record the complaint in accordance with Article 16(2) of the Law;
(b) supply a copy of the record made of the complaint to –
(i) the complainant; and
(ii) the police officer complained against (if known); and
(c) in accordance with Article 15 of the Law, take steps that appear to the relevant Connétable to be appropriate for the purpose of obtaining or preserving evidence relating to the conduct complained about.
Disciplinary and appeal procedures are set out in the legislation (see jerseylaw.je).
Further details are available on the Law Officers website – please refer to: Honorary Police –
- Code of conduct for Centeniers acting in a prosecutorial capacity – issued April 2018.
Duty week
Honorary Police officers are on duty for one week at a time, usually every 3 or 4 weeks depending upon the roster within the Parish, and are on call 24 hours a day during that period.
Policing tasks
Honorary Police officers are elected to serve the Parish and undertake policing within the Parish community. In certain circumstances officers may assist or operate outside the Parish. The tasks are varied and can include:
- Foot and mobile patrols
- Speed checks and road checks
- Licenced premises checks and curfew checks
- Visite du Branchage and Visite Royale
- Parish Hall Enquiries
- Policing local events and may also assist at major island events
- Searches for ‘missing persons’
- Responding to calls for assistance.
Officers are expected:
- to acquire the necessary skills and abilities to properly perform the duties required and this may include attendance at relevant training courses provided;
- to attend the monthly meeting chaired by the Connétable;
- to support the Connétable and Chef de Police in the delivery of the policing plan for the parish.
Find out more: contact the Connétable or Chef de Police of your Parish for further information.