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A review of the dual role of Head of Law Enforcement is to be reviewed when the current Chief of Police retires.
Ruari Hardy will leave his position this summer.
As the Bailiwick’s Head of Law Enforcement, he has ultimate responsibility for both policing and the border agency.
That dual role was created twenty years ago amid some controversy when the then-head of customs lost out in the recruitment process and effectively lost his job. Rob Prow is now the politician responsible for both departments as the President of the Committee for Home Affairs.
He has confirmed that while a new Chief of Police will be appointed, who will also act as Head of Law Enforcement, there will also be a review of that dual role "looking at how it aligns with local law enforcement strategy and operating models".
The new Head of Law Enforcement will also be appointed on a shorter contract than their predecessors.
Pictured: Ruari Hardy outside the Guernsey Police Station.
Mr Hardy is only the second person to have held the dual role as Head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement as he succeeded Patrick Rice who was appointed to lead the newly combined Guernsey Police and Guernsey Border Agency in 2012, just two years after he had been appointed as the Chief of Police. Mr Hardy replaced him in 2019.
Both men moved to Guernsey following careers with the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Hardy's career started in 1984 when he joined the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps, meaning he is now in his fortieth year of police service.
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve with so many exceptional people across law enforcement over many years across two very different jurisdictions," he said.
"However, a career in law enforcement must come to an end at some point. It is for that reason I notified the Committee for Home Affairs in April 2023, of my intention to remain in post until the middle of 2024 and asked if they would agree to a short extension to my contract. They kindly agreed to this request.
“I would like to thank everyone across the organisation for their hard work and support in serving the Bailiwick and that change, when it happens, will bring with it the opportunity for growth and organisational development.”
Mr Hardy's move to Guernsey in the early 00s saw him work his way up the ranks before being appointed Head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement on a five year contract which came to an end in December. He has agreed to a contract extension into this year while his successor is replaced.
He told Bailiwick Law Enforcement staff the news on Friday.
Pictured: Deputy Rob Prow.
With the Committee for Home Affairs responsible for appointments such as the Head of Law Enforcement, the Committee President, Deputy Prow said the recruitment process has already begun.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Officer Hardy on behalf of the Committee for providing advance notice of his intention to leave his position of Head of Law Enforcement and am grateful for his ongoing commitment to lead Bailiwick Law Enforcement until his departure.
"He has been an excellent Head of Law Enforcement and has served the Bailiwick with professionalism and integrity. Ruari is a first-class leader who, in a very challenging job, has tackled our day to day challenges and events like the pandemic very effectively. He has been crucial in allowing the Committee to achieve its objective of keeping the Bailiwick a safe and secure place to live and work.
"Without the work of Ruari and his teams, this would not have been possible. I have no doubt that he will continue to operate at that level of excellence until the end of his tenure.
“I can confirm that preparations are now commencing to find a replacement Chief of Police, who will act as a Head of Law Enforcement while a review of that role is undertaken, looking at how it aligns with local law enforcement strategy and operating models. Whoever is appointed will be done so on a three-year contract, with the potential for it to extend for a further two years.”
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