Isle of Man Constabulary

11 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 1200.0%

The Freedom of Information requests to the Isle of Man Constabulary reveal an authority that is generally cooperative and transparent regarding statistical data, particularly in areas of public safety, road traffic incidents, and crime figures. The force has consistently released detailed breakdowns of sexual offences, domestic abuse statistics, and the specific costs of high-profile events like Royal visits (Cases 1151525, 3763230). This openness extends to niche local issues, such as wallaby collisions and sheep worrying, demonstrating a willingness to engage with community-specific concerns (Cases 553134, 1166149). However, a clear pattern of obstruction emerges when requests touch upon internal culture, personal data, or specific operational tactics. The Constabulary frequently cites 'disproportionate effort' or the risk of identifying individuals to withhold data on bullying complaints, officer injuries, and specific caution details (Cases 353867, 1326709, 353895).

Key Cases

Case 353867 — This case highlights a significant transparency gap regarding internal culture. The Constabulary admitted to having no central register for bullying and harassment complaints prior to April 2017, and refused to release specific data to avoid identifying individuals, raising questions about the force's ability to track and address internal misconduct.

Case 1321209 — A critical disclosure on internal accountability during the pandemic. The force revealed that three of its own officers were warned for breaching COVID-19 regulations, confirming that police were held to the same standards as the public, a key point of public interest during the crisis.

Case 3726171 — This 2024 case touches on a serious allegation regarding the deletion of a former Chief Constable's emails. While the summary cuts off, the request itself signals a potential crisis in data retention and government accountability, making it a pivotal moment for investigative scrutiny.

Case 1151525 — Demonstrates high-level financial transparency. The Constabulary provided the exact cost (£8,529.89) of policing Princess Anne's visit, setting a precedent for disclosing specific security expenditures for high-profile events.

Case 2039173 — Addresses public concern regarding sexual misconduct within the force. The disclosure of only two allegations and zero dismissals over a five-year period provides a clear, albeit limited, picture of the force's internal integrity regarding sexual offenses.

Related FOI Stories

Pandemic Enforcement and Internal Accountability#1300877, #1321209, #1472805, #1624929, #1649413

Road Safety and the TT Festival#470333, #553233, #855265, #865865, #1127725

Sexual Offences and Public Safety Registers#353877, #353883, #353905, #1102261, #1996906

Internal Culture, Discipline, and Recruitment#353841, #353855, #353867, #353873, #353887

Royal Visits and High-Profile Spending#1151525, #3763230

All (11) All information sent (132) · Some information sent but not all held (31) · Some information sent but part exempt (14) · Information not held (11) · No information sent - all held but exempt (5) · Request lapsed - requested information not provided (3) · Withdrawn (1) · Vexatious request (1) · Not required to fulfill request (1) · Decision Notice - Complaint part upheld (1) ·
DateTitleOutcome
2024-07-09Crimes solved by video doorbell footageInformation not held
A request was made to the Isle of Man Constabulary for statistics on crimes solved, incidents reported, and arrests made using video doorbell footage since January 2022. The authority responded that the information is not held because the data is not captured.
2023-10-31Drug/alcohol testsInformation not held
2023-10-03The Crown in right of Isle of Man - Constable oath and ActInformation not held
2023-06-08Malicious Accusations/Comments referred by Department of DESCInformation not held
2023-01-09Seizure of e-scootersInformation not held
2021-09-17Details required of Vehicle Recovery contractInformation not held
The requester asked for details regarding the tender process, contract terms, and invoicing for Vehicle Recovery services contracted by the Isle of Man Constabulary. The Constabulary responded that they do not hold this information as the contract was managed by the Department of Home Affairs.
2020-07-15Comis HotelInformation not held
2020-06-04DiversityInformation not held
2019-11-22Crimes reported to policeInformation not held
2019-07-29Incidents at Ronaldsway AirportInformation not held
2019-07-18Police overtimrInformation not held
A request was made for details on overtime payments and pay rates for police officers during the two-week TT period. The Isle of Man Constabulary responded that they do not hold this information and suggested contacting the Office of Human Resources instead.