Guernsey police officers to be given one-off £5,000 payment

Friday, 23 August 2024 14:20

Home Affairs says they want to reward Guernsey Police who have worked extra overtime, as the force remains understaffed.

The Committe says the sum is coming from within its budget, thanks to salary underspends.

The payment will be given to around 137 officers, up to the rank of inspector, who passed their probation before the 1 July 2024.

It will total around £685,000.

The money comes with the expectation that officers will stay in the job for at least 18 months.

If they leave the force within that time, they will have to repay around 5% of that figure, for each month they aren't in service.

Home Affairs says Guernsey Police have been working under "sustained pressure" for some years.

Committee President Deputy Rob Prow says it is important to reward officers who have been dealing with more complex cases.

"Recognising how stretched public money is, this was not a decision that was taken lightly.

That said, however, the summation of this decision is that, following discussion with Policy & Resources, we as a Committee both feel it is an important recognition of the burden officers have born, and a necessity to ensure our force remains staffed, stable, resilient, and holds onto the levels of expertise it needs.”

The committee confirmed no payment will be made to any officer on "unsatisfactory performance procedures."