Connétables, Centeniers & Vingteniers

 

Each of Jersey's twelve Parishes is headed by a Connétable (or Constable) who runs the Parish, represents the municipality in the States of Jersey, and acts as titular head of the Honorary Police of the Parish.

According to records, a Constable of St Helier was first mentioned in 1529 .The title is traced to the head of the Imperial Stables (Comte de l'Étable) and conferred upon such dignitaries as the Constable of France, of Scotland or the Tower of London.

In Jersey the rank is similar to that of a Mayor, but there is no affinity with a Police Constable here or in the UK. Honorary Police were too few in number, and in due course paid police became necessary, which today, are known as the States of Jersey Police. Any member of both forces has the power of detention, but the Constable and Centenier retain their customary right to charge a prisoner.

The story of uniformed policing in Jersey goes back to 1853. The first uniformed Officers on the streets of St Helier, the "Garde En Nuit" or Night Watch, were paid Police Officers, numbering ten in all, working under the Constable of St Helier, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. each night. In 1890 officers began to work during the day time as well as the night.

St Brelade and St Saviour were among the first to enlist the assistance of the Paid Police as far back as 1906. Jersey had its own mounted section up until 1930 when the force used two horses,

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the paid police had 50 officers. In 1950 a mobile section was formed and in 1952, a police bill was passed which transferred control of the Police from the Constable of St Helier to the States. By 1966 the force had 129 Officers and in 1974 the Paid Police were formally given the right of arrest throughout the whole island. In 1984 the Force establishment stood at 210 officers.

You swear and promise by the faith and oath that you owe to God that you will well and faithfully carry out the Duty and Office of Constable in the Parish of ................. you will keep and ensure the observance of His/Her Majesty's peace, opposing and holding all Mutineers, Seditioners, Robbers, Homicides and all other persons who may breach the public peace, the same you shall bring before Justice that they be punished for their misdeeds; together all habitués of Taverns, Drunkards, Lewd Persons, Whores, Blasphemers and all others who may contravene the Orders and Commands of the Magistrate, the same Orders you shall keep and observe and ensure the keeping and observance of the same, as far as it may be possible for you; you will not suffer in your Parish that any person keep a Tavern other than those established and licensed as such; and you shall have special care both on your own behalf and on that of your Officers, that the day of Sunday shall not be profaned by haunting or frequentation of the said Taverns or other places contrary to the Orders made on this, the same you shall duly carry out; you will search and cause to be searched whenever and as often as may be necessary, or as you shall be required; notably you will make a general search once every three months in all places and houses of the said Parish that you suspect; you will keep and procure as far as it may be possible for you, the rights which pertain to the said Parish, being guided by what concerns the public good of the same, by the advice and good counsel of the Principals and other Officers of the said Parish; the said Officers you will assemble or cause to assemble by means of your Centeniers once a month to advise such matters as may be necessary concerning the said Parish, and finally that they might make known all malefactors, refractories or contravenors of Orders of Justice that you might inform the Court and the Officers of the Crown, of the same; you will carry out the Orders of the Lieutenant Governor, the Bailiff or his Lieutenant, and of the Justices, according to their responsibilities, attending the States of the country when you are required; and all this you promise to make your loyal duty on your conscience.

There are 48 Centeniers throughout the island, elected by the voters of their Parish. The Centeniers are on duty for one week at a time and are on call 24 hours a day. The Centenier is the only officer authorised to charge and bail offenders. They also have the power of search in certain circumstances.

Vingteniers & Constable's Officers

There are 60 Vingteniers and 185 Constable's Officers, The Vingteniers and Constable's Officers are elected to a Vingtaine, or in the Parish St. Ouen, a Cueillette. The Vingteniers & Constable's Officers assist the Centeniers in the policing of the Parish. The Association meets with a delegate of each Parish on a regular basis.

Poems and texts in Jèrriais about the honorary system:

• La Visite Rouoyale

• Lé Brancage

• I' Voulait Etre Chantgni

• Notre Chant'nyi

• Chantgni Malgré Li

• L'Assembliée d'Pâraîsse

• Paroisialle ou paroissiale?

• Comment que l'Chantgni sauvi san chapé

• Reponce a chu Vingtny

• Sonnèt au Chant'gni Patriote

• Sausiche ou Bâton d'Justice?

• Les Êtats d' Jèrri

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