Last day for first Manx Chief Constable 

The Isle of Man's first Manx Chief Constable will retire today. 

Gary Roberts is stepping down after nearly 40 years' police service.

He was appointed to the top job in 2012 and is the longest serving Chief Constable in the British Isles.  

A statement released this morning describes Gary Roberts as being pivotal in each of his roles, from Police Constable to Chief Constable. It says he's managed some of the most challenging issues faced by the Island, including being the first Chief since WW2 to manage a budget cut, making fundamental adjustments to the running of the constabulary.

Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Jane Poole-Wilson MHK, says ‘the Island owes an incredible thanks to Gary for the dedicated and exemplary service he’s given. There have been unprecedented changes, on Island and globally, since Gary first began his career in policing. He has approached all of those challenges pragmatically, with great leadership – shaping the Constabulary to the benefit of all of our residents and visitors.’

Chief Officer of the Department of Home Affairs, Dan Davies, says ‘throughout his career Gary has consistently demonstrated the values that he still expects of police officers joining the constabulary today. That is, caring, humility, service and honesty. Gary has had a remarkable record of public service and for that, the Department – and the Isle of Man is hugely grateful.’ 

Gary Roberts was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for exemplary service in 2020, and in 2022 was awarded The Hector Duff, OBE, MM, BEM, TH Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Police Awards ceremony.

Gary said: ‘It has been a unique and special privilege to lead the Isle of Man Constabulary. I have worked with some wonderful people, each of whom has been dedicated to serving the people of the Isle of Man. I have led the Constabulary through some really challenging times, but I was only able to do this because of the quality of the people with whom I worked. This is a police service built on its values.

In many ways British policing is broken, but it is evident that the Isle of Man Constabulary remains close to the people of the island, by whom it is trusted. For this, I am both grateful and very proud.’

Russ Foster will take up the position of Chief Constable from tomorrow, 1 April.