Vingtenier

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[edit] Jersey

In Jersey, a Vingtenier is a member of the Honorary Police elected by a Parish Assembly of electors and ratepayers for a term of three years for a particular vingtaine (or, in St. Ouen, a cueillette) in that Parish.

Vingteniers, who occupy a rank below that of Centenier in the Honorary Police, carry out general community policing in the parish, and fulfill administrative roles within their vingtaine in respect of tasks such as the Visite du Branchage.

The office of Vingtenier (which is believed to refer to a responsibility of looking after 20 (French: vingt) households) may date back to 1331, although the first recorded reference to the title of vingtenier dates to 1462.

[edit] Sark

The political system of Sark, which was modelled after Jersey's in 1579, also includes a Vingtenier. In Sark the (sole) Vingtenier is elected by Chief Pleas as junior to the Constable.