Police 'step up' recruitment ahead of retirements

The Isle of Man Constabulary is "stepping up" its recruitment campaign ahead of the retirement of a "considerable number of officers" in the next three years, the chief constable has said.

Russ Foster said its most recent drive saw "increased interest from aspiring police officers" and 16 new recruits were currently undergoing their initial training.

In his first annual report, released in September, he said said the recruitment and retention of police officers was his greatest concern.

In a further push, in which applications are open until 21 March, the constabulary is hoping to recruit up to 20 officers to fill current and future vacant positions.

In his review of the 2023-24 year, Mr Foster said the force was in the "midst of a staffing crisis", which was set to increase further due to retirements and unexpected departures.

He said the force had also seen "diminishing numbers of applicants to become police officers" before the confirmation of a new pay deal in July, which saw starting salaries increase by about £3,600 to £32,163.

But following "considerable work" with the Department of Home Affairs "to significantly improve the starting pay for new recruits to bring it more in line with other public services", there had been an "increased interest" in joining the force, he said.

The chief constable said the constabulary wanted to attract individuals who were "up for an interesting and on occasions challenging, but all the same rewarding career".

New officers would be "instrumental in keeping us all safe" and would focus on "protecting vulnerable people, reducing harm in our communities and tackling criminality", he added.

Those interested in the role would undergo a range of assessments, including a fitness test, and successful applicants would begin training in September.

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