The chairwoman of the Constables’ Committee, Deirdre Mezbourian, told States Members yesterday that a full review of the honorary service would begin with a workshop led by the Attorney General on 14 July.
Mrs Mezbourian was asked about how the service would meet recruitment challenges by Senator Sam Mézec.
In recent years a number of parishes have struggled to recruit the minimum number of Centeniers, with St Saviour being fined £5,000 by the Royal Court in 2015 and warned again recently.
And two officers who recently stood down from the St Saviour force, Mary O’Keeffe and Isabella Lewis, last week called for Centeniers to sit an exam and be paid for their work in an effort to attract people to the role.
In the States yesterday, Mrs Mezbourian said that the election of six former Centeniers and one Vingtenier to the States last month had left the service in need of replacements.
She said the upcoming review would look at ways to boost recruitment, including reaching out to the business community to make them aware of the benefits of having staff members who were in the service.
Deputy John Young asked whether the age restrictions might be reconsidered. ‘Some over 69 feel they could do certain tasks, preparing prosecution papers and such,’ he said.
Mrs Mezbourian said they would. ‘It has been raised before,’ she said. ‘The honorary police must adapt to modern needs as people are living longer and are healthier. We would not rule that out.’
At present honorary police officers must be between 20 and 70 years old.
The Constables’ Committee chairwoman ruled out removing the court duties of Centeniers, however, when asked by Deputy Montfort Tadier whether that might broaden the appeal of the role. Mrs Mezbourian said that was not under consideration.
She said not all Centeniers attended court, with some choosing to focus on other duties. Those that did present in court received special training, she added.
