Isle of Man Constabulary

The Isle of Man Constabulary provides a policing service to the people of the Isle of Man 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

In an emergency call 999. For other matters, contact:

Chief Constable Russell Foster was appointed on 1 April 2023 and heads a force consisting of the following (excluding vacancies): 

• 3 Superintendents 
• 5 Chief Inspectors
• 13 Inspectors
• 42 Sergeants
• 161 Constables
• 8 Trainee Police Officers
• 91 Support Staff

42 Special Constables With over 30 years’ experience in policing, Chief Constable Russell Foster also has a Master’s Degree in Police Leadership and Management and has been a Chief Officer for nearly 10 years. He is a trained, accredited and experienced Counter Terrorism Commander, Specialist Strategic Firearms Commander, Strategic Public Order Commander and Sporting Events Commander.

The Constabulary has a budget of over £19m and it provides a full range of policing services to the people of the Isle of Man. Its approach to keeping the Island safe is predicated on the delivery of services at a local level, based on neighbourhood policing. Additionally, it works closely with partner agencies in the Isle of Man and in the United Kingdom in order to protect the public, in particular to address the harm caused by serious and organised crime. As a result, the Isle of Man remains an almost uniquely safe jurisdiction.

Independent Review of the Constabulary

In July 2020 Tynwald were informed that an inspection of the Isle of Man Constabulary (IOMC) would be undertaken by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

HMICFRS independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of Police Forces and Fire and Rescue services, in the public interest. They conduct statutory inspections of Police Forces and other law enforcement agencies in England and Wales, and also inspect police forces in British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies on request from the relevant Government.

The Report on the Inspection of the Isle of Man Constabulary by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was published in February 2023 and can be found in the downloadable documents pane on this page.

The report makes 17 recommendations and highlights 17 areas for improvement.

Department’s response

Alongside HMICFRS’s report, the Department published a response document to provide context to the review and commentary, from the Department and the Isle of Man Constabulary, on each of the formal recommendations and areas for improvement detailed in the report. It also provides updates on work since the inspection took place.

The Response to the Inspection of the Isle of Man Constabulary by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services can be found in the downloadable documents pane on this page.

The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs made a statement to Tynwald on the HMIFRS Report and the Department’s response in February 2023. This can be found in the downloadable documents pane on this page.

Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2021-2022

In accordance with the Police Act 1993, it is the role of the Chief Constable to provide an annual report on the performance of the Isle of Man Constabulary. In addition to graphics and data tables, the report contains an overview of a dozen or so of the most important issues facing the IOMC as it strives to keep the Isle of Man safe. This report is received by Tynwald each year.

This year’s Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2021-22 can be found in the downloadable documents pane on this page.

Policing Plan

In accordance with the Police Act 1993, it is the role of the Department of Home Affairs, after consultation with the Chief Constable, to determine the policies, objectives and priorities of the police force in the Isle of Man. This plan is known as the Policing Plan and is laid before Tynwald each year.

This year’s annual Policing Plan 2022-23 can be found in the downloadable documents pane on this page.