Guernsey Press

Police hope for more success with latest push for new officers

GUERNSEY POLICE has launched a recruitment drive and hopes for more success than it had last time.

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The force's learning development manager, Jim Bell, said the last drive was held jointly with the Guernsey Border Agency, but after candidates had chosen to join the GBA instead, this one was aiming specifically at getting people to become police officers.

The most recent police report put staff numbers at 147, compared to 164 in 2008.

An open evening was held at St Sampson's High School, giving islanders a chance to meet different branches of the police including the bomb disposal team, firearms officers and staff from the roads policing unit.

Mr Bell said there was no set target number of staff they were planning to take on and that getting on the course would depend on the calibre of the candidates.

'We are looking for people with team-working skills, good communication skills, a sense of humour and a willingness to commit to the community,' he said.

Mr Bell said he did not know why the force has had problems recruiting in recent years, but he hoped the open evening was an indication that more people would be putting themselves forward for the job.

'We have had people who are 16 who are looking for the future, and mature people who are looking for a change of career, as well as school leavers who are looking to start a career,' he said.

Applicants need to be aged between 18-and-a-half and 55. The training course starts in September. It is between 16 and 20 weeks and takes place in Guernsey. This will be followed by a two-year probationary period.

There will be another chance to meet officers and learn more about the job between 6 and 7pm at St Sampson's High on 3 May.

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