Recruitment Opportunities within the States of Jersey Police
Information on Entry and Service Requirements
Working for States of Jersey Police offers a varied, challenging and rewarding career. The Force now trains all new officers locally, through a 15 week long induction programme. More details of how to apply to become a Police Officer with the States of Jersey Police are below.
As well as Police Officers, States of Jersey Police employ a large number of civilian staff. Details of civilian jobs can be found in the local newspaper, the Jersey Evening Post, in the Working For Jersey recruitment section.
1. GENERAL
The States of Jersey Police has a history dating back to 1853, with the formation of a small body of uniformed Officers operating solely within the Parish of St Helier. In 1952, the first Chief Officer of Police was appointed when legislation brought about the creation of a professional body with Island-wide responsibility. Since 1972, the Force has been reorganised and with the introduction of modern equipment and communications, coupled with a comprehensive training programme and a high standard of entrant selection, it has become both progressive and efficient. The service offers opportunity, variety and job satisfaction. The many areas of operational Police work include Uniformed Patrol, Licensing, Community Policing as well as Crime Service which includes Criminal Investigation, Drugs, Intelligence, Special Branch and Fraud.
2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT
To be eligible for appointment in the Force a candidate must:-
a. have resided in the Island for at least three years
b. be more than 18 ½ years old;
c. currently, have to be able to obtain residential status under Jersey Housing Law
d. be of good character;
e. possess good health, physique and eyesight;
f. pass the Standard Police Initial Recruitment Examination.
The Home Affairs Committee may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, appoint a candidate who does not satisfy any or all of the conditions.
3. TRAINING
A Police Officer is on probation for the first two years of his/her service and may be discharged at any time during this period if it appears that he/she is unlikely to make an efficient Police Constable. Full details of the training programme are available in a separate leaflet. Officers will continue to receive refresher training courses throughout their service and selected officers may attend specialised training courses at United Kingdom Police Training Establishments. All Police Officers are required to qualify in First Aid.
4. HOURS OF DUTY
The normal tour of duty is of 8 hours duration, and this may be performed during the day or night. During this period, 45 minutes is allowed as a refreshment interval where possible. Authorised overtime is paid for hours worked in excess of normal working hours. Those employed outside their normal hours of duty at the expense of private individuals or organisations receive a special duty allowance.
5. LEAVE
Police Officers receive 8 rest days in every four week period. In addition, Officers will be given public holidays (or days in lieu if worked). An Officer is granted leave in each calendar year according to his length of service e.g. commencing with 20 days and increasing to 22 days after 5 years and to 23 days after 10 years and to 25 days after 20 years. When a normal period of duty includes a Bank Holiday, the Officer is granted 1 day's leave in lieu, and is also paid for the day worked at the appropriate rate. Sick leave, to a total of six months in one calendar year, may be granted with full pay at the discretion of the Chief Officer and thereafter at the discretion of the Home Affairs Committee.
6. PAY AND ALLOWANCE
Current rates of pay are shown in a separate schedule. Salary is payable monthly in arrears.
7. UNIFORM
All articles of uniform and equipment necessary for the performance of police duty are provided.
8. PROMOTION
All Police constables have an equal opportunity for promotion to higher rank, promotion being by selection subject to such qualifying examinations as may be prescribed.
9. PENSIONS AND LENGTH OF SERVICE
A member of the Force may resign at any time giving one month's notice. The post is pensionable, but under the Public Employees' contributory Retirement Scheme a member must be at least 20 years of age before joining the scheme, but up to the age of 30 years he can opt to join the scheme or not. At 30 years of age membership is compulsory. An officer's pension accrues at the rate of 1/60 per year of service resulting in a person who serves 30 years receiving a pension of half pensionable salary earned during the best year of the final 3 years of service. The employee's contribution is 5% of salary. Provision is also made under the scheme for pensions for those who are obliged to retire on medical grounds and to the widows and children of Officers who die whilst in service or after retirement.
10. MEDICAL
Normal medical treatment is paid for by the States of Jersey Police Force. There is a Health Insurance Scheme in Jersey whereby ½ % of the earnings related is paid by deduction from salary, however, once a year the appropriate proportion is refunded to you. The Health Scheme is not a comprehensive one as in the United Kingdom and only gives certain allowances, which can be explained in detail if required.
11. RECREATION
The Police Athletic and Social Club (PASC), of which every Police Officer is expected to become a member, provides facilities for outside and indoor activities. Representative matches of football, cricket, bowls and swimming are played against local land visiting teams, and force teams visist Guernsey, the United Kingdom and France. The PASC has a licensed clubroom for indoor activities, i.e. snooker, table tennis and darts. Social functions are held regularly, including cabaret and dances.
12. JERSEY POLICE ASSOCIATION
The Police Association represents members of the Force in all matters affecting their welfare. A member of the Force is not permitted to be a member of any trade union, or any association having for its effect, or one if its effects, to control or influence the pay, pensions or conditions of service of the Force.
13. RESTRICTIONS ON OTHER EMPLOYMENT
No member of the Force shall engage in any undertaking, trade, profession or occupation, or employment of any nature without the consent of the Chief Officer.
14. RESIGNATION FROM THE STATES' POLICE FORCE
An Officer may resign from the Force by giving one month's notice in the normal manner, in addition, should he resign before pension is due, the amount paid to the Treasurer for pension contributions received from a United Kingdom Force, together with contributions to the public Employees Retirement Scheme, plus interest, may be refunded. It may also be possible to transfer accrued benefits to an alternative approved scheme.
15. HOW TO MAKE APPLICATION TO JOIN THE FORCE
Candidates possessing the qualifications mentioned in paragraph 2 should apply to the Human Resources Department, Police Headquarters, Rouge Bouillon, St. Helier, Jersey for an application form. This should then be completed in the applicant's own handwriting and returned to the Human Resources Department. The applicant should then await further instructions.
Alternatively, applicants can ring Human Resources via the switchboard on 612612 to request a form or email:
sojp@jersey.pnn.police.ukAppointment of Constables - sequence of eventsThe Probationer Training Programme Foundation Course
