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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 19th OCTOBER 2010
Question
Further to the statistics contained within Annual Performance Report 2009 for the States of Jersey Police in
relation to the differences in the funded establishment and strength in comparison to England and Wales, would the Minister inform the Assembly -
- b y howmuch the forcewasunder its funded strength a)atthebeginningof this year and b) currently?
- w hen the force will return to its funded strength?
Can he further assure members that the CSR will not impact on the numbers of operational police officers?'
Answer
In responding to the Deputy 's question, I have presumed that by funded strength' the Deputy means the number of Police Officers that the Department can afford within its budget. The States of Jersey Police has a notional authorised' establishment of 249 police posts. However, the current budget can only fund 236 police posts.
i)
- at the beginningof 2010 therewere 234.7 Police Officers. This is 1.3officersunderthebudgeted strength of the Force,and14.3 officers underthe authorised establishment.
- there are currently 234.9Police Officers. This is1.1 officers under budgeted strength, and 14.1 officers under the authorised establishment.
It should be noted that the number of officers within the States of Jersey Police will always be fluid, as officers join and leave. Numbers will generally be at their lowest just before a recruitment drive and at their highest just after new recruits have joined the force. The lowest number of officers this year was 226.0. 12 new recruits have just joined the Force.
ii) As detailed above, the Force currently has 1.1 officers under budgeted strength. However, although there are currently 234.9 officers, the Service actually has a reduced number of fully operational officers, when one takes into account those officers who are in training, on light duties, secondment, long term sickness, maternity leave, or suspension.
I cannot give members the assurance that the CSR will not impact on the numbers of operational police officers. Over the next few years we are seeking to make significant cuts in expenditure as we go through the CSR. 83% of the Home Affairs Budget consists of staff costs. It is, therefore, inevitable that the number of operational police officers will be impacted upon. What Home Affairs will strive to do is to continue to provide a high level of service to the public of the Island but with this being delivered more efficiently. It is anticipated that changes to working practices and information systems, alongside changes to wider prosecution processes, will deliver considerable efficiency savings.