Community policing: Alderney officers are ‘a different kind of busy’

The Channel Island, which comes under the jurisdiction of Guernsey Police, has a regular population of just over 2,000 people which increases during the summer.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, building relationships with the community is at the heart of policing on an island that’s just one and a half miles wide and three and a half miles long.

Alderney, with a regular population of just over 2,000 people, is policed by one sergeant and three PCs who live on the island.

With Sgt James Taylor and two PCs already in post, Guernsey Police are on the lookout for a third PC to complete the set.

While the day-to-day role is akin to that of a “community beat officer”, Inspector Asa Flatres stresses that there’s scope for specialisms and close collaboration with colleagues in Guernsey.

“There’s not really a high demand for service…it’s more about working in the community. However, we make sure that they can come to Guernsey as often as possible to work with their Guernsey colleagues [and] they also get the opportunity to apply for specialisms.”

Two officers are taser trained, while another is a sexual offences liaison officer (SOLO). Insp Flatres says they’re also exploring the possibility of getting the fourth officer trained to become an family liaison officer (FLO).

As the person responsible for policing in Alderney, he has a real insight into what working on the island is like.

Using adjectives such as “unique” and “rewarding”, Insp Flatres also points to the longevity of those already in post as an indicator of job satisfaction.

Sgt Taylor has been there for almost 10 years, while the two PCs have worked on the island for around eight and four years respectively.

From Guernsey it’s an eight minute flight or 45 minute boat journey to reach Alderney, and he acknowledges that only being “reachable by sea and air” comes with its challenges.

However, this is why such a concerted effort is made to get officers to Guernsey regularly. It’s important that this group feels as much a part of the furniture as they are.

“You become part of the entire organisation puzzle piece…you’re not forgotten just because you’re in Alderney.”

All training is also undertaken in Guernsey, where Insp Flatres himself is based.

While demand for service is typically quite low, protocol sees officers deployed immediately from Guernsey following “any major incident”.

Given the travel times outlined above, it’s imperative that any future recruit exhibits the “competence” required to manage an incident while help is on the way.

The force also wants to find someone who’s willing to “assist” with any custody suite work.

There are limited arrests, and Alderney only has two holding cells, but Insp Flatres hopes to find someone who’s happy “not only with being a PC, but with the custody work as well”.

This would also allow that person to “act up” as sergeant, he added.

Alongside this any new recruit will be required to undertake Special Branch duties at the Ports, including liaising with Customs and Harbour Offices.

Insp Flatres said: “They are busy, but it’s a different kind of busy…it’s like problem solving policing.”

Any recruit must have passed probation in their current force (with a minimum of four years’ experience as a PC) and be certified as fully fit following examination by the Force Medical Examiner.

A transferee induction course is undertaken within the role, as is training in first aid/officer safety and restorative justice. Any transferee will also undertake a custody training course.

For more information visit policeoracle.com/latest-jobs/view/police-constable-alderney/ and rsr.ltd/red-snapper-recruitment-guernsey/

Pictured: Saye Bay, Alderney

Category: Local and Neighbourhood Policing

Tags: Guernsey PolicePCRecruitment