I came across this Police Alarm 🚨 in St Helier recently and it sparked a google/Wikipedia search to find out a little more about Policing on Jersey 🇯🇪

According to Wikipedia “The States of Jersey Police (French: Police des États de Jersey) is the official police service of Jersey. It was established in its current form by the Police Force (Jersey) Law, 1974 and consists of around 240 officers.” 👮🏼‍♀️👮🏻‍♂️

However, the history of policing on Jersey goes back further than 1974, with the first paid Police force set up in St Helier in 1854. That’s not where it ends, there has been an Honorary Police force on the island since 1204! This system is maintained by each of the 12 parishes. 

What is really interesting is that whilst the police officers have island wide powers, it is only the elected Centenier of the Honorary Police that can charge and bail offenders - a custom that has survived and evolved since the 1200’s. 

So, aside from enjoying the aesthetics of the alarm when walking past, it provided a little light and interesting reading! Or, as I like to call it, the beauty we can find in everyday life. 

A full account of each can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_of_Jersey_Police and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_Police

#jersey #history #policing #governance