St. Ouen elects first female Centenier

Monday 20 May 2019

The Parish of St. Ouen has elected its first ever female Centenier.

Teresa Surcouf, who has previously served as a Constable’s Officer as well as a number of other roles in the Parish, was elected to the role following a Parish Assembly last week.

Centeniers are senior officers within the Honorary Police structure who are entitled to charge and bail offenders within their Parish. The role entails presiding over Parish Hall enquiries and acting as a prosecuting officer before the Magistrate’s Court. 

Having joined the St. Ouen’s Honorary force as a Constable’s Officer, Teresa was also elected as a Vingtenier in 2016 before becoming the first woman elected to the role of Centenier in the Parish on 15 May.

She succeeds the Parish’s former Centenier Paul Wallace Sims, who resigned at the end of April. 

Of Teresa’s election, St. Ouen Constable Richard Buchanan said: “Teresa is a very hard working and capable officer and has all the right qualities to move up to the demanding role of Centenier. I had the pleasure of serving with her during my time as Centenier so I know she will be a great asset in her new role.”

Pictured: St. Ouen Constable Richard Buchanan welcomed the Centenier-Elect to her new role.

Centenier-Elect Surcouf added: “I am excited about my new role and I look forward to working with the team, who I know will give me the support I need whilst I learn the ropes. We have a strong team of existing Centeniers and other officers in St. Ouen and I look forward to the challenges ahead over the next three years.”

At the same Parish Assembly, Centenier Richard Honeycombe was re-elected for a further three year term as Chef de Police.

Constable Buchanan said he was “delighted” at this re-election, commenting: "Richard has recently taken over as my Chef de Police, a role in which he has excelled and I look forward to working with him in the next three years.”