The Home Affairs Minister has today announced the new Chief of Police for Jersey.
Robin Smith was appointed following a competitive recruitment exercise which was open to candidates in Jersey and from overseas.
Mr Smith will be responsible for overseeing the States of Jersey Police Force and in providing critical leadership in protecting the public, preventing crime and building public trust in Police services.
He is a chief police officer with more than 30 years’ experience in several executive positions and has significant operational and organisational experience, including counter terrorism, firearms command, public order, public protection and safeguarding. He has experience in leading and delivering major transformational change programmes to drive efficiencies, increase value for money and improve services.
Formerly Temporary/Deputy Chief Constable of the Sussex and Surrey Police, he was responsible for day-to-day policing, including corporate development, professional standards, anti-corruption and corporate communications. Mr Smith is currently Assistant Chief Constable for the British Transport Police, and was a Senior Commander for the Manchester Arena and London Bridge terrorist attacks and the Croydon tram crash.
Minister for Home Affairs, Constable Len Norman, said: "I am pleased to announce Robin Smith’s appointment following a rigorous recruitment process. He has exceptional leadership and operational experience and will be vital in delivering the vision for the States of Jersey Police and formulating succession plans and developing the current senior leadership team.
"The Chief of Police is a vital role at the very heart of Jersey’s community and is integral for the protection of all Islanders, especially the most vulnerable, including children and victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. I look forward to working closely with him."
Dr Jason Lane, Chairman of the Jersey Police Authority, said: "Robin brings substantial command experience from Surrey, Sussex and the British Transport Police in driving and delivering change programmes. His experience as operational commander for the Manchester Arena bombing, among other high-profile incidents, is testimony to his skills and reputation. I have no doubt that this appointment will drive the force forward, building on the impressive work already achieved in delivering improved services to the public."
Robin Smith added: "I am delighted to be appointed as Jersey’s new Chief of Police. It’s a privilege to be given the responsibility to lead the men and women of States of Jersey Police.
"I’m looking forward to working with senior colleagues across the Government of Jersey, the Honorary Police, with partner agencies and the public to keep Jersey safe and in creating a just and fair society for all Islanders. That will be my priority and I can’t wait to get started."
The process to appoint the new Chief of Police was overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, with the Chair of the Commission, Dame Janet Paraskeva chairing the full end-to-end process.
Further information:
1.The appointment is in accordance with Article 6 of the States of Jersey Police Force (Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer) (Jersey) Regulations 2017. The Minister for Home Affairs has approved the permanent appointment of Mr Robin Smith as the new Chief of Police for the States of Jersey Police.
2. The process to appoint the new Chief of Police was overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, with the Chair of the Commission, Dame Janet Paraskeva, chairing the full end-to-end process. The recruitment and attraction of candidates was managed by the Government of Jersey resourcing team and supported with additional outreach to potential candidates and in the final assessment process by a specialist Executive Search Firm, Penna.
3. The selection panel for the position was:
Dame Janet Paraskeva DBE – Chair of the Panel – Jersey Appointments Commission
Dr Jason Lane – Chair of the Jersey Police Authority
Mr Charlie Parker – Chief Executive, Government of Jersey
Mr Tom Walker – Director General for Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance
Justine Curran – Senior Independent Advisor; former Chief Constable of Humberside Police
4. 15 on and off-Island candidates were targeted in the initial search, which produced a formal long-list of seven candidates (six men and one woman) for initial consideration. One candidate withdrew before long-listing and six candidates were taken forward for independent technical assessment. Following these assessments, three candidates were shortlisted for final Interview.
5. In the application procedure, candidates were asked to complete and detail the following:
That they had completed the Strategic Command Course (SCC)
Current salary package and expectations
Provide an up-to-date CV detailing their career history and achievements
To provide a supporting statement on how they met the person specification of the role.
6. There were eight stages to the overall recruitment process:
Promotion of the role
Initial assessment of candidates who submitted a formal application. This was conducted by the Government’s central resourcing function and independently by Roger Russell, executive search director from Penna
Candidate long-listing meeting – 2 September
Technical assessment conducted by Dee Collins, ex-Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police and Penna on 4 and 5 September
Candidate shortlisting meeting on 25 September
Full-day assessment centre on 22 October. This included a tour of SOJP HQ and a meet-and-greet with members of the force; two independent stakeholder panels, with one comprising the representatives from children’s and mental health charities, and the members of Jersey’s ‘Blue light’ departments: Police, Fire, Ambulance and Customs and Immigration. Additionally, candidates undertook psychometric tests, a strategic written exercise, a leadership role-play exercise, a leadership interview and a media assessment and met informally with the Minister for Home Affairs.
Final panel interviews on 23 October
Formal appointment by Ministerial Decision by the Minister for Home affairs and lodging in the States Assembly.
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