Get volunteering for the honorary police
Thursday 3rd June 2010, 3:00PM BST.
Centenier Hugh Gill, Chef de Police.
THIS is National Volunteering Week.
I hope this means that Jersey’s primary volunteer force, the honorary police will receive due attention.
The Island could not operate without their presence, be it events such as Battle of Flowers, cycling races or car rallies, parish hall inquiries and the efficient running of cases in the Magistrate’s Court, reuniting lost dogs with their owners and heifers with their fields, not to mention dealing with unruly young people at the weekends and getting neighbours back on speaking terms, road-checks, speed checks etc etc. And we are short of numbers in some parishes.
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
JEP Jubilee Editions
Saturday 2 June: Guide to Celebrations
Wednesday 6 June: Souvenir of Events
View The Queen in Jersey supplement
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
Our Honorary Police provide an invaluable service to the Island. It was therefore immensely disappointing that the recent Channel 103 recruitment advertisement portrayed the Honoroary Police Officer as someone who was not particularly intelligent – this was an insult to serving officers and surely a deterrent to anyone considering putting themselves forward for this worthwhile service.
Report abuse
I can’t understand this!
If you joint the Police force you can do all this, and get paid £30.000 + Yes Paid.
Report abuse
Nellie
But there is quite a lot of truth in that stereotype and of it appealing to busybodies and jobsworths. Even for voluntary police, there should be psychometric tests in an attempt to weed out the ones who are in it for the power rush.
Report abuse
There are enough unemployed people on benefits…..let them “volunteer” for some work for their free handouts!
Report abuse
Here here love them or hate them we are not able to do without them. Thank the lord that we do have this system and people give up there time for their parish. Thank the lord we don’t take the view of Helen who would if I understand her post wouldn’t consider it unless being paid. Being in this service can be very rewarding to both yourself and your parish.
Report abuse
@2 Hellen back
Ahh, but this is policing on the cheap with the cutbacks due in the States Police Force\Service.
I’m sure the timing is not coincidental.
Report abuse
“The island could not operate without it’s presence” Quite a bold statement. Battle Of Flowers, Jersey Rally, cycle races are all manned by marshalls, I have assisted with the jersey rally before, they just get in the way, and treat members of the public with contempt. I know a few, and these people barely function in the real world. The Hobby Bobbies just get a massive power trip from their “position”, earned by a nomination, and seconded by another hobby bobby. It’s really quite embarrassing that they still exist. Guernsey had the sense to disband theirs after the war. They have PCSO’s there, like the UK. Honorary Police? No thanks.
Report abuse
Totally agree with George the ‘Hobby Bobbies’ are, in my experience(on the whole) power crazy simpletons who couldn’t get to the bottom of a bucket without assistance.
Report abuse
George 7 And God’s Mentor 8
I only hope your never involved in an RTA or are in need of the Parish Police services.They give there time freely and assist many in need. While I would agree there are some who go for a power rush there are many out there who are not about going for the power rush who really assist the public and if you look at some of the States Police are they not as guilty of having a power rush. You can’t tar them all with the same brush. There are many giving up their time for our Island. I do believe you making sweeping statements here
Report abuse
Kate:
I have been invloved in an RTA a few years ago. The Hobby Bobbies sprung into action and closed the road going both ways, even though there was no need to. The resulting tail back meant that the ambulance couldn’t get through & one of my injured passengers was in considerable unneccesarily pain for a lot longer than they had needed to be.
Report abuse
God’s Mentor #8 says
“Totally agree with George the ‘Hobby Bobbies’ are, in my experience(on the whole) power crazy simpletons who couldn’t get to the bottom of a bucket without assistance.”
If that’s your experience, my commiserations.
What a sad, small, bigoted little circle you must revolve in.
George
It is not the job of the police to marshal events. This is usually done by well meaning people whose sole training is an adequate pep talk just before the event,usualy these marshals do a fantastic job and without them many events just would not happen. But they are not authorised to use any form of physical restraint towards the general public whatsoever.
Sadly this is sometimes necessary and the honorary police need to be there to take over when a marshals authority is not enough, as when a drunk decides to ignore a marshals request to leave the area or to wander on the racing circut. Honorary officers have powers of arrest and can give lawful orders that must be obeyed, they are trained in, “how to and when to” use the minimum necessary force to keep the peace at these events,usualy by the SoJP training officers.
The only alternative would be to have a raft of paid officers at these events. Most of our event are just breaking even this would be the straw that breaks the camels back.
The majority of Honorary officers I have met (as well as most of the posters on this site) see failings in the society we are living in, and they are doing it because they want to make a difference.
They prefer to be part of the solution than sit on the sidelines moaning about it.
George you seem to do your bit (marshalling) how about you Gods Mentor, or should that be Gods Moaner.
Report abuse
God’s Mentor #10
An RTC (“Road Traffic Colision”,they are not called Accidents anymore. Road Traffic Accident, “RTA” gives the illusion the incident was “not” avoidable) with injury must be reported as soon as possible to the police. Either the Parish or Paid force “will” attend the scene. If the incident is so seriose (as in your case) that an ambulance is required it is standard procedure to close the road until the specialist collision officers have completed their investigations.
The way Jersey motorists react to an emergency vehicle on blues and twos is fantastic it always amazes me how a space is always made for the vehicle to pass, even in town in the rush hour, if your passengers pain was prolonged by the traffic I suggest it would not have been for an overly long time. Its a pity your ire for this is not directed at the cause of the incident rather than those trying to sort it out.
Whose fault was the collision ? the answer to that and the sanctions issued may give me illumination to a reason for your bigotry.
Report abuse
PJG
So what if a lightning bolt hits a tree causing it to fall upon a vehicle?
Is this RTA or RTC???
Report abuse
BS Deluxe
If the tree had been equipped with a lightning conductor the incident would have been avoided, therefore it is not an accident.
Of course reasonably practical comes into the equation of whether it be done or not, but never the less it was an avoidable incident.
Report abuse
‘The way Jersey motorists react to an emergency vehicle on blues and twos is fantastic it always amazes me how a space is always made for the vehicle to pass’
PJG obviously hasn’t noticed all the pillocks who stop dead and freeze right by a traffic island or other obstruction immediately upon hearing the klaxons, instead of working out where would be the best place to move to without slowing down the emergency vehicle.
Report abuse
C Le Verdic#15
Yes sometimes there’s “one”.
I was speaking in general of the majority of jersey motorists compared to what I have experienced in UK and further afield.
Its my experience that when a rare “pillock” does gum up the works a more sensible driver makes space elsewhere.
Report abuse
PJG
Now you are just being ridiculous.
Until every tree is fitted with a lightning conductor and/or has it’s foundations reinforced to prevent falling then it is not avoidable.
Where is the common sense in this??
Are you in insurance by any chance ????
Report abuse
BS Deluxe
Your question was
“So what if a lightning bolt hits a tree causing it to fall upon a vehicle?
Is this RTA or RTC???”
I will try to explain why these incidents are not called RTAs, this may get a bit boring but you did ask the question.
Calling such an incident an accident,”RTA” alludes to it being unintentional “and” unavoidable, therefore not worthy of investigation to see if action could stop a similar incident happening again.
If one starts such an investigation with the attitude “there is no such thing as an accident”, a cause/reason will “always” be found and a “cure” will “always” be available.
As I have said before, one must then decide if the “cure” is reasonably practical, in time, effort and cost, expended for the possible advantages (less similar)incidents. I take it you have heard of risk assessments? One must know the hazards before control measures can be put in place
If a car ran you down because the brakes failed due to rusted brake lines caused by a freezing wet winter would you just call it an accident as it was caused by the weather and let it go at that because it was the weather that made it impossible for the driver to stop.
Or would you advocate an investigation into the vehicles service history, mechanics competence etc.
I hope this answers you question, it means the difference of being informed or ignorant.
You also say “Now you are just being ridiculous”
no I am not, ridiculous is relying on “common sense”
No I am not in insurance.
Report abuse
I see you are now trying to manipulate the scenario to suit your argument. If the brake lines have rusted then obviously that is due to neglect with the maintenance and is avoidable.
Now, back to the lightning bolt.
“Calling such an incident an accident,”RTA” alludes to it being unintentional “and” unavoidable, therefore not worthy of investigation to see if action could stop a similar incident happening again.”
This is EXACTLY what a lightning strike would be……unless in your infinite wisdom you can predict where and when it is going to strike next!
…or are you telling me that the police would waste time and money to investigate this act of nature, knowing fully well they cannot realistically prevent it from happening again, because it was “avoidable”!?
This has tickled my belly somewhat
Report abuse
#18, PJG. ‘If a car ran you down because the brakes failed due to rusted brake lines caused by a freezing wet winter…’
Ihave just learned something about my car. Thank you PJG. I thought “Surely brake pipes must be non ferrous or they wouldn’t last long?”. So I just ran a magnet over them and “Clunk” it stuck.
At first light tomorrow I will be underneath looking closely for signs of rust.
Time Jersey had the equivalent of an MoT Test.
The rust may not show up in our marvelous roadside checks.
By the way, is that the official explanation or something you just thought up. “Convoluted” was a popular word a few years back…
Why not settle for “Incident”. That would also cover catastrophes where collision was not involved.
Report abuse
C Le Verdic #20
Brake pipe inspections are part of a normal service.they even check the rubber ones they perish at the ends usualy.
BS Deluxe #19
You are completely missing the point !
Have you ever completed a risk assessment ?
If you bothered to read my posts you would see I qualified the action only if reasonably practical
You say “This is EXACTLY what a lightning strike would be……unless in your infinite wisdom you can predict where and when it is going to strike next!”
I can give you a pretty good idea ! more likely a tree on top of hill than a hedge in a vally. If the tree was of particular importance fit a lightning conductor.
I have a house in Turkey, built in an earthquake zone, I built it to withstand such an event.
My house in Jersey is not built to such standards but I do not expect an earthquake of high power here.
Risk assessments, are you getting it now.
I am used to be involved with drilling in Africa, freak electrical storms are the norm during the rainy season. When the storms are about standard practice was to drop the drilling mast and keep away from the rig, only have the mast raised when the sky is clear. We only had one strike and this was to a rig with the mast left up overnight, Preventable ?
Report abuse