Retaining police officers 'greatest challenge' facing Manx constabulary

Chief constable says situation continues to 'deteriorate' 

Retaining police officers on the Island is the ‘greatest challenge’ facing the Isle of Man Constabulary.

That’s the view of the chief constable who says the staffing situation ‘continued to deteriorate’ between April 2023 and March this year.

Russ Foster’s predecessor, Gary Roberts, had warned that he could be ‘left on a burning platform’ saying issues with recruitment and retention could turn into a crisis.

“Officers are angry – and angrier than I have ever seen them – because of pay and not because of what they do”. – Gary Roberts

In his first annual report Chief Constable Foster said Mr Roberts had been ‘proved right’.

He added despite his best efforts to engage officers, and outline the benefits of working for the constabulary, the situation had continued to worsen.

In an act of ‘desperation’ he said he had engaged with the Department of Home Affairs for a ‘sustainable resolution’ in terms of pay which was a ‘key driver’ for staff leaving.

In August last year the department awarded a retention payment to each officer in August 2023 for those who stayed in the constabulary for a 12-month period.

This was described as ‘most welcome’ and was said to have a ‘positive impact in abating the attrition of officers’ whilst longer term solutions were considered.

A seven percent pay increase was also introduced as part of a reciprocal pay agreement with the UK in September.

However information received by the Police Federation shows that once the retention period concluded in August this year a number of officers were due to leave.

This, it is said, is due to the opportunities available to earn more money with other employers for less intrusive or demanding roles.

Officers looking to transfer from UK forces have also been deterred due to the higher level of competency required due to ‘multi-hatting’ for the same pay and pension complications.

This means transferees would be required to work longer or risk losing benefits on retirement.

At the time the report was written there were 23 vacancies with early indications that this figure would increase further due to retirements and unexpected departures.

A recent recruitment drive saw just two successful candidates from 40 applicants.

The chief constable has submitted a business case to the DHA for consideration of a revenue uplift and to align the starting salary for a PC to the minimum recommended ‘living wage’.

Jane Poole-Wilson is the Home Affairs and Justice Minister:

You can read the 2023/2024 Chief Constable's Annual Report HERE.