Efforts underway to find new police officers for Manx constabulary

Drop-in sessions come as federation warns 'thin blue line' is on 'knife edge'

Efforts are underway to recruit more police officers on the Isle of Man.

People who are ‘prepared to work really hard serving their local community’ are being urged to come forward.

Drop-in sessions have been scheduled to offer those interested in a career in the Isle of Man Constabulary the chance to find out more.

The aim is to recruit full-time officers and special constables – you can find out more HERE.

PC Katrina Keeling was at the Sea Terminal yesterday (8 February) to talk to those interested:

But in the week that it was warned the ‘thin blue line’ is on a ‘knife edge’ will there be any appetite?

The Police Federation of the Isle of Man has published an Officer Satisfaction Survey which warns of a ‘further exodus of officers’ due to what it calls the ‘dire situation’ officers are experiencing.

Issues with retention, mental health and wellbeing concerns and ‘disillusioned, underpaid officers’ are just some of the issues it’s highlighted – the chairperson is Richard Hewitt:

And it’s not the only report to highlight concerns about the make-up of the Manx constabulary.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services has published its findings after inspecting the service in 2021.

More than half of the constables in three of the eight response units – at the time of the inspection - were students; in one team 71 per cent of the constables were students.

It warned of a risk that inexperience – along with problems with guidance, training and supervision – meant there was a risk that officers wouldn’t be fulfilling their duties effectively.

So has this issue been addressed and is it something that can be overcome?

It’s a question we put to Chief Constable Gary Roberts:

The Department of Home Affairs has admitted the recent cost-of-living crisis has brought the issue of police pay into ‘sharp focus’ and says it’s committed to finding a solution to the issues which have been highlighted by the federation.

You can find out more HERE.

The next recruitment drop-in sessions being held by the Isle of Man Constabulary are as follows:

• Monday, 27 February: Civil Defence Conference Room, Tromode at 6:30pm (Special Constables)

• Tuesday, 7 March: Press Centre, at TT Grandstand, at 6pm