The high regard in which the Isle of Man Constabulary is held by the Manx public was reflected at a series of recent meetings organised by the Police Consultative Forum.
 
Events were held in the four neighbourhood policing areas – Central, Southern, Western and Northern – to raise awareness of the major programme of modernisation being undertaken by the Chief Constable.
 
The open meetings were hosted by the Police Consultative Forum (PCF), an independent body made up of community representatives that seeks public opinion on policing and the prevention of crime. More than 200 people attended, with a good turnout in the areas outside Douglas where the majority of changes are taking place.
 
A common theme to emerge from all four meetings was the strength of public support for the Constabulary, particularly the neighbourhood policing model and officers’ work with young people. There was also positive feedback on the use of social media to help maintain community safety and keep people up to date with important information.
 
Concern was expressed at the meetings about certain aspects of the Constabulary’s reorganisation, including the closure of two police stations and a reduction in the total number of officers. Response times outside of Douglas, a possible increase in rural crime, the availability of resources in the event of a major incident and the impact of budget cuts on specialist training and succession planning in the police force were also raised during the discussions.
 
Councillor Colin Cain, Chairman of the PCF, said: ‘The meetings showed just how highly the work of the Isle of Man Constabulary is valued. Many participants called for law and order to be given an even higher priority and for the Constabulary to be protected from any further cuts. The general consensus was for the police budget to be restored to its previous level as soon as possible and a vote was taken at the Western meeting to that effect.’
 
In addition to members of the PCF, the meetings were attended by Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK, Chief Constable Gary Roberts, Inspector Juan Kinley of the Central NPT and Inspector Darrill Pearson of the Northern, Western and Southern NPTs.
 
Minister Watterson said: ‘It was interesting to hear the public’s views and to have the opportunity to respond to some of their concerns. People clearly appreciate the job the police do to maintain the safety of our communities and the quality of life we enjoy in the Isle of Man. I hope those who attended the meetings were reassured that the Constabulary is being redesigned into a sustainable model for the future, with its roots still firmly in our communities and a strong focus on the prevention and detection of crime.’
 
He added: ‘I understand people’s desire to safeguard the Constabulary from any further budget cuts. The Chief Constable and I have said that we believe further reductions could not be absorbed without there being an impact on our commitment to protecting vulnerable people.’