Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK has today (Friday, September 28) announced the appointment of Gary Roberts as the next Chief Constable of the Isle of Man.
Mr Roberts, who is currently Deputy Chief Constable, will officially take up the position on January 1, 2013. He will succeed Mike Langdon who is retiring in December after a distinguished career in the UK and Isle of Man police forces.
Minister Watterson said: ‘The Department is delighted to appoint Gary Roberts as the Isle of Man’s next Chief Constable and believe he is the right candidate to continue the positive work that has taken place over recent years. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to promote a Manx officer who has risen through the ranks from Constable to the head of the Constabulary during his 28 years with the force. Strong leadership is essential and Gary has all the attributes to drive forward what is a dynamic, proactive and complex organisation.’
Mr Roberts, who is appointed on a five-year contract, will be tasked with maintaining the force’s strong focus on community policing and enhancing the Island’s reputation as one of the safest places to live in the British Isles.
He will also help to shape the future policing strategy for the Isle of Man at a time of budgetary pressures as Government seeks to rebalance public finances.
The Minister commented: ‘The Department of Home Affairs is committed to maintaining the excellent quality of life we all enjoy in the Isle of Man, and Gary will have a fundamental part to play in that as our next Chief Constable. The next five years will be a particularly challenging period for the Department and the Isle of Man police force. Gary’s wealth of experience means he is well placed to respond to the challenge of delivering a quality service against a backdrop of budgetary restraint.’
He added: ‘Throughout the selection process, and against highly qualified and capable senior officers from the UK, Gary’s abilities shone through and we felt that his strategic thinking and inspirational approach to policing will serve us all well for the next five years.’
Gary Roberts joined the Isle of Man Constabulary in 1984 and worked as a Constable in Douglas, Onchan and the CID before being promoted to Detective Sergeant in the Fraud Squad in 1996. In this post he led the Constabulary's response to the UK Government's Edwards Inquiry into enforcement and financial supervision in the Crown Dependencies.
In 1999 he was promoted to Inspector, taking responsibility for strategic planning and media relations, whilst also acting as staff officer to the Chief Constable. In 2002 he was further promoted to Chief Inspector, becoming responsible for uniform operations.
In January 2005 Mr Roberts became Superintendent with responsibility for all operational policing across the Island. A Senior Investigating officer and a firearms commander, he became Deputy Chief Constable on January 1, 2008.
Mr Roberts said: ‘This is a deeply humbling moment for me. I am proud and privileged to be able to serve my community and to lead the brilliant people of the Isle of Man Constabulary. My entire focus will be on doing my best for the community. I must also mention my deep gratitude to Mike Langdon, who has been an inspirational Chief Constable. He will be a hard act to follow.’
