Police recruits sworn in

Saturday 11 August 2018

The island’s latest police recruits are set to move to their next stage of training after being sworn in by the Bailiff yesterday.

Guernsey Police’s Head of Training and Development said five recruits were getting their warrant cards.

They have done an 18 week course, which encompasses theory, practical’s, officer safety training, first aid, public order and the IT system training.

“They have exams throughout, are assessed throughout. They are now going to have a week off, and then they have 12 weeks of being out with a tutoring constable, learning their trade if you will. Then if they pass that, then they can be authorised to go on solo patrol.”

Sophie Browning, 22, was among the new recruits and said it allowed her capitalise on her University degree.

“I studied criminology and forensic studies at Portsmouth University and graduated last year. I am from the island originally and wanted to return, and when I did this opening came up," she said.

“We did a lot of practical stuff on the course, but the role plays were the toughest part. The best bit was the group [of recruits], they were amazing, we all really got on and it just made it much more enjoyable. I am really looking forward to the next stage.”

Stephen Woods, 36, is originally from Hull, but spent the last few years running a hotel in Alderney, which had a contract with Guernsey Police. 

“That’s how I met a lot of officers through that, and they recommended the course and said I would be good at it because of the customer service I had given them. But I had to have a licence for over here, and then my wife got a nurses training licence – so it is new careers for us both.  

“The course was good, but the role play took me a bit by surprise and also because it has been a long time since I have been in a classroom environment, so that took some getting used to.”