‘It’s all about engaging with the community’
AFTER serving in the military Nick Boughay decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps by joining the police, a career choice which has seen him spending nearly a quarter of a century in the force both here and in the UK.
PC Boughay is one of three constables in the Neighbourhood Police Team and he is largely responsible for the Vale and St Sampson’s parishes.
That means he is out and about every day and has become a familiar face in the parishes, often dropping in on schools as well as putting in occasional appearances at the monthly parish surgeries.
But he will also become involved elsewhere if necessary, citing a spate of problems at Les Genats Estate earlier this year that saw him talking to residents about issues such as vandalism and disorderly behaviour by groups of youths: ‘By and large the problems have gone now,’ he said.
‘We worked out what was needed to sort it out. It’s all about engaging with people in the community.’
The team also liaises with the Guernsey Housing Association in some situations: ‘There’s a lot of working with other organisations. You have to go and meet other people and build working relationships with them.
‘I have a good relationship with the GHA. If someone has a problem I can help them get the CCTV. I can phone the GHA around the clock and get things sorted out.’
After leaving the Army he joined the police in Hertfordshire some 23 years ago, working on the burglary squad.
But after a few years he decided he wanted to look further afield: ‘I ruled out a few places, like the Falkland Islands, and I came to Guernsey.
‘Everyone was so friendly so I thought “Let’s stick with this”.’
On joining the local force in 2005 he found the island very different from what he had experienced before: ‘You still have general crime but you have a lot of aimless crime over here, like mindless criminal damage.’
He started in the neighbourhood team about 10 years ago and said he hoped to continue serving in it.
He particularly liked the schools work: ‘Because I’ve been in the community team for so long they looked to me to deliver the schools’ lessons.’
As well as getting school pupils to think about making the right choices, he said specific lessons have focused on topics such as cyber-bullying: ‘These lessons are really pro-active in stopping problems before they start.’
Don’t miss: On patrol with Guernsey Police in tomorrow’s Weekend section
n To find out more about joining the police visit gov.gg/policejobs. The deadline for applications is 9 December.
