New chief officer appointed at Guernsey Police

Damian Kitchen (pictured) said it was an honour to have been appointed the new chief at Guernsey Police

A new chief officer at Guernsey Police has been appointed, the government has said.

The States of Guernsey said Damian Kitchen from Lancashire Constabulary would be taking up the role, and had a "wealth of experience".

Mr Kitchen said he was "honoured" to have been appointed by the Committee for Home Affairs.

The BBC also understands there were no internal candidates who applied for the role.

'Honoured'

The government said Mr Kitchen has been a police officer across numerous areas and ranks, over the last 29 years.

He has senior leadership experience as a chief inspector and was more recently a superintendent in operational policing.

Mr Kitchen is set to take up the post of chief officer of Guernsey Police full time during November.

He will also assume the role of head of law enforcement for the duration of a review into the structure of law enforcement in the island, which is anticipated to take 18 months.

Mr Kitchen said: "I am honoured to have been asked to take up the role and cannot wait to get started.

"Having visited the island on several occasions now, I have undertaken a number of preparatory meetings and have been impressed by the commitment and friendliness of the officers and staff I have met in both the policing and border agency teams.

"While I bring many years of experience to the role, I have much to learn about delivering law enforcement and working with partners in the context of Guernsey."

Deputy Rob Prow thanked the outgoing Head of Law Enforcement Ruari Hardy

He said he was grateful for the support of the Home Affairs team during the recruitment process and in the lead up to the official appointment.

"I am certain that this close relationship will continue and we will work together to deliver a first-class service to communities and visitors across the Bailiwick," he added.

President of the Committee for Home Affairs Deputy Rob Prow said: "While we are fortunate to have many dedicated officers already within Guernsey Police and the Guernsey Border Agency, making this appointment from the UK will allow us to bring in a fresh pair of eyes and different experiences, which will be invaluable in continuing to evolve Guernsey Police and Bailiwick Law Enforcement – particularly as we conduct a review of that structure."

He also thanked the outgoing head of law enforcement Ruari Hardy, who has been a "dedicated and extremely hardworking public servant".

"Policing in recent years has been a very challenging profession, and Ruari has steered Bailiwick Law Enforcement through this with a very professional, level-headed and balanced approach."