Guernsey Police has made an application to second 10 Police Officers from the UK to Guernsey between 1st and 22nd December 2021, and 3rd January and 31st March 2022, to help alleviate resourcing issues while permanent staff complete essential training courses.
This decision follows consultation and a briefing with the Committee for Home Affairs, who were supportive of the decision.
The Covid-19 pandemic, and the two local lockdowns, have prevented officers at Guernsey Police from attending mandatory and specialist training courses, because off-island travel has not been possible without restrictions and training course providers have not been able to come to Guernsey.
Training is a key part of the organisation as it both allows staff to keep up to date and accredited in essential operational and specialist skills which ensure public and officer safety.
With the current staff levels (136 police officers employed as of 22/09/2021), it is not possible to both maintain required staff levels operationally and still fulfil these training needs.
Bringing 10 officers over from the UK will allow our permanent staff to complete this training, while their roles are covered. The cost of these officers is covered by Bailiwick Law Enforcement's allocated budget.
Guernsey Police have also recently undertaken a summer recruitment campaign for local recruits. The secondments will alleviate resourcing pressures on the organisation while new recruits go through their initial training. In addition a recruitment campaign has been run for transferees into Guernsey Police. A number of experienced officers have been offered posts and their relocation to the island is underway.
Staff across the organisation were informed of these measures earlier this week.