Guernsey Police launches new strategy for next three years
- Guernsey Police have unveiled a new Strategic Plan for 2025-2028.
- The plan focuses on community engagement, victim support, public safety, justice, and maintaining high policing standards.
- Tactical priorities include enhancing neighbourhood policing, victim services, road safety, and addressing serious crime.
- The plan aims to build public trust and improve response capabilities while embracing technology in policing.
- Chief Officer Damian Kitchen emphasises collaboration between forces for optimal public safety.
The Guernsey Police have unveiled their new Strategic Plan for 2025-2028, which outlines a vision for maintaining safety and security in the Bailiwick.
Chief Officer Damian Kitchen presented the plan, highlighting the importance of professional, trusted, and compassionate policing that is responsive to community needs.
The mission of the Guernsey Police is to ensure public safety through an ethical and effective approach.
The plan is built on five key pillars: Neighbourhood Policing & Community Engagement, Putting Victims First, Public Safety, Bringing Offenders to Justice, and Promoting the Highest Standards of Policing.
Under the Neighbourhood Policing & Community Engagement pillar, the strategy aims to develop a model that is accessible and engaged with the community. This involves increasing neighbourhood policing capacity, enhancing community intelligence, fostering partnerships, and promoting volunteer opportunities within the community.
The 'Putting Victims First' pillar focuses on providing victim-centred responses to crime and vulnerability. Tactical priorities include training first responders, collaborating with support agencies, and enhancing protection for the vulnerable.
To improve public safety, the plan outlines strategies to address issues such as road safety, violence against women, and anti-social behaviour. This includes educational campaigns and initiatives aimed at raising public awareness.
In pursuit of justice, the Guernsey Police will focus on empowering the public to report crimes, targeting repeat offenders, and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of violence and abuse.
Maintaining the highest standards of policing is essential, with a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. The plan prioritises digital efficiency to enhance service delivery, support officer wellbeing, and manage performance effectively.
In Kitchen’s words, "this plan is the foundation on which we will deliver an excellent, trusted and professional police service for the future.”
In releasing the plan, he stated: "Officers and support staff across Guernsey Police are already working tirelessly to protect and improve the safety and security of the Bailiwick."
He acknowledged areas for improvement and assured that the plan outlines clear actions that will be implemented in the forthcoming months and years. Kitchen reiterated the importance of a consistent focus and direction for the officers and staff.
"Open engagement with islanders is very important to me," he remarked, referencing community meetings, collaboration with elected representatives, and the island-wide questionnaire conducted earlier this year aimed at gathering public feedback for future planning.
The police force is undergoing significant changes with Deputy Chief Officer Richard Bell and the chief officer establishing a new senior leadership team to guide the service towards and into 2026.
"Finally, I want to highlight the importance of high standards in this plan," he added, expressing that Guernsey Police comprises dedicated staff and officers committed to their challenging roles.
He emphasised the necessity of maintaining high standards and being accountable when these standards are not met to foster a strong and trusting relationship with the community and enhance the effectiveness of safety measures across the islands.
The strategic plan has been developed following community consultations and reflects priorities outlined by Home Affairs.
Guernsey Police aim to collaborate with other enforcement agencies to ensure comprehensive safety and security measures across the region.
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