IT is impossible to resist the conclusion that all is far from well in the world of Jersey policing.

The problems, however, centre not on the style or substance of on-the-street policing but on the morale of the force and its ability to retain trained officers.

Home Affairs Minister Ian Le Marquand – formerly the Magistrate and therefore no stranger to the structures upholding law and order – has spoken openly of ‘instability’ in the ranks of the States police. It has also been revealed that, astonishingly, no fewer than 37 officers have left the force over the past year and that 20 of these resignations came out of the blue.

The resignations, moreover, have occurred against the background of allegations of bullying, though details of who is said to have been bullying whom are, to say the least, sketchy.

To this litany of woe must be added the suspension of police chief Graham Power in the wake of disturbing revelations about the conduct during the Haut de la Garenne investigation by his former deputy, Lenny Harper, and the suspension of another senior officer because of an alleged sexual assault.

The man currently in charge at Rouge Bouillon, Acting Chief Officer David Warcup, has deservedly won a reputation for decisiveness and effectiveness on the strength of his having, with the able assistance of investigating officer Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell, cut to the heart of matters at Haut de la Garenne. That was undoubtedly a major task and achievement, but getting to the bottom of the morale issue and solving it is likely to be a challenge of comparable proportions.

As Mr Warcup will understand, Jersey police officers enjoy a remarkably high level of remuneration and excellent pension arrangements. They also operate in a community in which hard-core crime is, mercifully, relatively rare.

Against this background, it is evident that whatever is at the root of present problems in the force is far from trivial and cannot be brushed under the carpet. At both the operational and political levels the fullest possible investigation and resolute action are essential – not least because the public cannot be confident that the Island is being adequately policed until a resolution is achieved.