‘Public safety is not at risk’

It comes as the force has confirmed it is seconding in 10 UK officers for most of December and for three months at the start of 2022 to allow permanent island officers to attend necessary training.

‘There are no public safety concerns. Operational front-line policing is being maintained, and while there has been some reorganisation of staffing duties, there should be no impact on public service and our ability to respond appropriately to demand,’ said Mr Hardy.

Guernsey Police has seen a steady decline in officers, from 174 in 2006 to 145 in last year’s annual report. It is now down to 136, including four officers in training.

‘So far this year we have seen 18 police officers leave our employment, but we have gained four new recruits, who are currently training,’ Mr Hardy said.

‘Eight officers from off-island have also been offered roles and we have another local recruitment campaign which we are hoping will see more staff joining the organisation. The assessment process is currently ongoing.’

Mr Hardy said the reasons for the decline are as complex as they are varied.

The pandemic has stripped away the ability to recruit officers or trainees off-island and staff attrition rates have been above average.

‘Additionally, local recruitment hasn’t generated as many as we had hoped,’ he said.

‘A number of factors all at once has led to the situation becoming quite complex and challenging.

‘We are, however, analysing the reasons for the above, for which there are multiple explanations, including retirement, staff moving to the private sector, and others leaving the island altogether. There is no single path that is being followed.’

Home Affairs has been made aware of the situation, and Mr Hardy said the committee has been very supportive of all the steps Guernsey Police have taken to address staffing issues.

He said staff within the law enforcement community have also been supportive and risen to various challenges post-pandemic.

‘Current staff have been very flexible and accommodating due to some of the pressures that we have experienced, but the management team are working hard in order to address some of the resourcing needs,’ he said.

‘This is not dissimilar to other areas of public service, both here in the Bailiwick and more widely across the UK.

‘I would like to reassure the public that despite some small changes being made to accommodate these pressures, the organisation is maintaining a full and professional service.

‘We are doing everything we can to retain individuals within the organisation, but at the same time also recruit local candidates and some off island experienced officers to fill certain skill gaps.’