Head of Law Enforcement to retire and role to be reviewed
A review of the role of Head of Law Enforcement is set to take place, as current chief Ruari Hardy retires this summer.
Mr Hardy, pictured, took on the post with a five-year contract in 2019, as only the second Head of Law Enforcement.
The job was created in 2012 to combine leading Guernsey Police and the Guernsey Border Agency, in a bid to closely align work between the two organisations.
But Home Affairs president Rob Prow, who is a former head of the GBA, confirmed the job was now being reviewed.
‘I can confirm that preparations are now commencing to find a replacement chief of police, who will act as a Head of Law Enforcement while a review of that role is undertaken, looking at how it aligns with local law enforcement strategy and operating models,’ he said.
‘Whoever is appointed will be done so on a three-year contract, with the potential for it to extend for a further two years.’
Mr Hardy’s contract formally finished at the end of 2023, however it was extended into this year while a recruitment process was undertaken.
Mr Hardy is in his 40th year of police service, having joined the Metropolitan Police Cadet corps in 1984. He has been with Guernsey Police since 2002.
‘It has been an absolute privilege to serve with so many exceptional people across law enforcement over many years across two very different jurisdictions,’ he said.
‘However, a career in law enforcement must come to an end at some point.
'It is for that reason I notified the committee in April 2023 of my intention to remain in post until the middle of 2024 and asked if they would agree to a short extension to my contract.
'They kindly agreed to this request.’
Deputy Prow thanked Mr Hardy for his service. ‘He has been an excellent Head of Law Enforcement and has served the Bailiwick with professionalism and integrity.’
The only other person to hold the HLE post was Mr Hardy’s predecessor Patrick Rice.
The Guernsey Police website lists the senior police management team as deputy chief officers Philip Breban and Ian Scholes, supported by chief inspectors Liam Johnson, Andrew Hockey and Julie Palmer.
