About Us

History of the States of Jersey Police:

The States of Jersey Police has a history dating back to 1853, with the formation of a small body of uniformed Officers operating solely within the Parish of St Helier. They wore uniforms which had been made locally, but their helmets, rattles, lamps and truncheons came from the UK. They had to pay for their own uniforms and the cost was deducted from their 23 shillings weekly wages.

They worked from the Town Hall in Seale Street, and were also responsible for fighting fires. However, this changed 15 years later when a volunteer fire fighting service was established.

As time went on, the force became larger, more recognisable as a force and more uniform. In the 1890s, white sun helmets were introduced. Officers began to work a day shift as well as a night shift, and became known as the St Helier Paid Police Force. In the same decade, they were permitted to patrol on pedal cycles.

By the early 1900s, other parishes were warming to the idea of a paid Police force, and by the 1930s, the St Helier Police were patrolling on horseback, using horses borrowed from a local stable.

By 1943, during the German Occupation of Jersey, crime was on the increase. The 48 officers who made up St Helier Paid Police were augmented by 40 ‘specials’ or Auxiliary Officers. Together, they patrolled the town and suburbs, with a lone patrol car by night and a motor cyclist by day.

In 1950, a mobile section was formed, but the Paid Police remained a Parish body until 1951. That year, Sir Alexander Maxwell and Mr FT Terry came to the Island at the request of the States of Jersey to investigate the Police system. As a result of this, a Police Bill was passed in 1952 which transferred the control of the Paid Police from the Constable of St Helier to what was then the Jersey Defence Committee, now called the Home Affairs Committee.

In 1952, the first Chief Officer of Police for what was now called the Jersey Paid Police was appointed when legislation brought about the creation of a professional body with Island-wide responsibility. In addition, 17 new recruits were taken on to join the 47 existing officers, and the new Force became official on 24 May 1952.

By the late 1960s, the Force had swelled to 129 officers, and in 1970, the rank of Corporal was abolished.

Since 1972, the Force has been reorganised and with the introduction of modern equipment and communications, coupled with a comprehensive training programme and a high standard of entrant selection, it has become both progressive and efficient.

By the 1990s, 241 Police Officers were employed at the Headquarters at Rouge Bouillon, with an ever growing number of Police staff.

Today, there are around 250 Police Officers, with new recruits each year, and an ongoing recruitment programme. States of Jersey Police officers are supported by around 100 civilian staff.