Tristan da Cunha News

Vacancy Notice: Tristan da Cunha Police Sergeant

Overview

The British Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha is in the middle of the South Atlantic with a population of 233. It is the world's most remote inhabited community and hosts a range of rare wildlife. In 2020 Tristan da Cunha established the largest Marine Protected Zone in the Atlantic at 687,000 square kilometers, the fourth largest globally.

Tristan da Cunha, along with Ascension Island and the island of Saint Helena, forms a single British Overseas Territory called Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The Governor of Saint Helena is also the Governor of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. The Tristan da Cunha Island Council is elected each three years and normally consists of eight elected and three appointed members. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Administrator sits as President and is the local magistrate. A separate election is held for the post of Chief Islander. The Attorney-General's Chambers are in St Helena.

The Tristan da Cunha police sergeant is responsible for delivering effective police services for the safety and protection of everyone on the territory. There are low levels of reported crime and a strong community spirit exists amongst the islanders. The police sergeant is to build on the strengths of community safety and assist in the prevention of crime and disorder.

Roles and responsibilities

• The Tristan da Cunha police sergeant is responsible for delivering effective operational policing for the territory.
• Report to the Royal St Helena Police Service director of policing.
• Together with community members and local agencies, identify and record local crime trends, anti-social behaviour and disorder issues. Then implement appropriate tactical responses.
• Consult with and brief the Tristan da Cunha Administrator (or Nominate Deputy) on police plans and activity. The police sergeant has operational independence but will ensure they have appropriate consultation with Tristan da Cunha residents.
• Develop and implement a neighbourhood policing problem solving policing plan. The plan will include specific reference to identifying hidden harm and under reported crimes.
• Develop effective partnerships to identify vulnerable members of the community and to deliver a multi-agency response to crimes and neighbourhood problems.
• Supervise special constables.
• Design and deliver an effective neighbourhood policing strategy that utilises the 4Ps (prevent, pursue, protect and prepare) approach.
• Meet the standards and capabilities defined in the College of Policing competency and values framework.
• The role requires working varied duties that respond to operational demands, which can occasionally include weekend working and night shifts.
• Provide reports and assessments as required by His Excellency the Governor, Administrator of TdC and director of policing.
• Develop relevant policies, procedures and major incident plans.

Essential experience

The following experience is essential:

• Police service - A minimum of ten years' service with a UK police service or equivalent.
• Police rank - A minimum of five years' service as a police sergeant, promoted through the UK College of Policing national police promotion framework, or equivalent.
• Neighbourhood policing - A minimum of two year's experience of neighbourhood policing.
• Problem solving - A minimum of two year's experience of problem solving community priorities.
• Partnership working - A minimum of two years' experience of partnership working.
• Information technology - Be competent in using Microsoft office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Essential qualifications

The following qualifications are essential:

• National police promotion framework sergeant examination certificate.
• A minimum of College of Policing professionalising investigations programme level 1 (PIP 1).

Desirable experience and qualifications.

• Experience of safeguarding and public protection unit casework.
• International policing experience.
• Project management experience and qualifications.
• College of Policing professionalising investigations programme level 2 (PIP 2).
• Formal qualifications in problem solving.

Administrative arrangements

• Onboarding: The FCDO will assist in providing suitable onboarding support prior to officer deployment to Tristan da Cunha.
• Flights: Return flights and travel will be provided at the start and end of the contract.
• Annual leave: 30 days + 9 days' local leave
• Funding: The role is funded through the islands Technical Cooperation Budget
• Accommodation: Living accommodation, will be provided on island. A £12.50 Community Charge is payable locally.
• This is an accompanied post.
• The duration of the posting is for 12 months, with the option to extend for a further period of 12 months.
• Vehicle: Ford Ranger
• Vetting: The role will require vetting checks which will include:
  • ACRO police certificate.
  • Two references that can corroborate the officer's good character and capability as a police sergeant.
  • Confirmation of no adverse social media postings.
• Medical: The police sergeant will need to undergo a medical examination prior to deployment. Due to the limited health care available on the territory the officer must have no underlying health diagnosis and be fit. They will need to be able to pass the College of Policing job related fitness test.

Salary

• Salary: Will be in line with the Police Federation Sergeant Pay scales (Tax Free).
• Also, there is an attractive benefits package which includes free housing; travel; and medical cover if based outside South Africa; including on-island treatment and evacuation to Cape Town.

How to Apply

For a full copy of the Job Description and further details on how to apply for this key position, please email Jean Caldwell, Project Manager at the following email address: jean.greenislandrecruitment@gmail.com.

The local point of contact for the role will be via email at COO@tdc-gov.com.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Monday 12th May 2025

Interviews: By Microsoft Teams or Zoom by the end of May 2025 – this will be a two stage process (a technical policing interview and an interview by elected island officials).

Required start date: 4th September 2025 (Subject to Shipping).