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Damian Kitchen has been appointed to the most senior role in Bailiwick Law Enforcement by the Home Affairs Committee.
Having worked across numerous areas during his 29 years in policing, Mr Kitchen has held roles like ‘Chief Inspector’ and ‘Superintendent in Operational Policing’ during that time.
As Chief of Police in Guernsey, he will also be the Head of Law Enforcement which will include overseeing customs operations.
He'll take up his new role full time from next month and will be in post during a review into the Bailiwick Law Enforcement structure, which is anticipated to take 18 months in total.
Pictured: PC Damian Kitchen, Guernsey's new Chief of Police.
The interview panel, which was led by the Committee for Home Affairs and had independent membership from HMIC, conducted interviews with candidates in late Spring, and identified Mr Kitchen as their “preferred candidate from the outset”.
“We are delighted to have been able to appoint Damian to this role, and are very much looking forward to working with him," said Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs.
“While we are fortunate to have many dedicated officers already within Guernsey Police and the Guernsey Border Agency, making this appointment from the UK will allow us to bring in a fresh pair of eyes and different experiences. I look forward to welcoming Damian to Guernsey, where he has already said he is looking forward to getting into island life and learning about the Guernsey way.”
Damian Kitchen, the incoming Chief Officer of Guernsey Police, said: “I am honoured to have been asked to take up the role and cannot wait to get started.
“While I bring many years of experience to the role, I have much to learn about delivering law enforcement and working with partners in the context of Guernsey.”
Pictured: Guernsey Police Chief Officer Ruari Hardy on duty during the Royal Visit in July.
Mr Kitchen will be taking over from Ruari Hardy, currently the island's Chief of Police. He’s been in the position for five years, following the retirement of his predecessor Patrick Rice at the end of 2018.
“It would be remiss of me not to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Head of Law Enforcement, Ruari Hardy, who has been a dedicated and extremely hardworking public servant," said Deputy Prow.
"On behalf of the island, I’d like to thank him for his huge contributions to making Guernsey the safe and secure place it is, and I have no doubt Damian will continue his hard work.”
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