Comis Returnees 15th April 2020

Summary

A request was made regarding police presence and equipment during the Comis Hotel quarantine on 15 April 2020, to which the Isle of Man Constabulary responded with full details on officer numbers, vehicle types, and armament.

Key Facts

• No constabulary officers were present at the sea terminal shed during the issue of quarantine terms.
• Two Roads Policing Officers escorted the convoy to the hotel, with one on a motorcycle and one in a vehicle.
• Four dedicated officers from a Covid-19 response unit were present at the Comis Hotel.
• Police at the hotel wore overalls, black caps, and standard PPE including handcuffs and extendable batons.
• Firearms were not carried, but one officer was Taser-trained and carried a Taser as standard duty equipment.

Data Disclosed

• 15th April 2020
• 31 May 2021
• 4 June 2021
• 2 Roads Policing Officers
• 1 Police motorcyclist
• 1 RPU vehicle
• 4 dedicated Officers
• 2 cars
• 1 motorcycle
• 2 vans
• 1815301

Original Request

In respect of the quarantine in the Comis Hotel on 15th April 2020. My request for information relates to the police presence on this date. HOW MANY POLICE WERE: ·At the sea terminal (including in the shed where they informed the returnees of terms of reference for quarantine)? ·Involved in the transportation to Comis including roadblocks at junctions and roundabouts (in cars and motorbikes)? ·How many were at the Comis Hotel? ·How many police vehicles were involved (cars, motorbikes, vans) ·How we're the police at the Comis Hotel dressed? E.g. Riot gear, armoured vests. ·Did the police at the Comis Hotel carry any firearms? Did they have any stun guns/tasers or the like? What other armament or weaponry did they carry. E.g. batons?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Isle of Man Constabulary Freedom of Information Police Headquarters Dukes Avenue Douglas Isle of Man IM2 4RG

Our ref: 1815301 4 June 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 31 May 2021 and which states:

"In respect of the quarantine in the Comis Hotel on 15th April 2020. My request for information relates to the police presence on this date. HOW MANY POLICE WERE: ·At the sea terminal (including in the shed where they informed the returnees of terms of reference for quarantine)? ·Involved in the transportation to Comis including roadblocks at junctions and roundabouts (in cars and motorbikes)? ·How many were at the Comis Hotel? ·How many police vehicles were involved (cars, motorbikes, vans) ·How we're the police at the Comis Hotel dressed? E.g. Riot gear, armoured vests. ·Did the police at the Comis Hotel carry any firearms? Did they have any stun guns/tasers or the like? What other armament or weaponry did they carry. E.g. batons?"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you. " In respect of the quarantine in the Comis Hotel on 15th April 2020. My request for information relates to the police presence on this date. HOW MANY POLICE WERE: ·At the sea terminal (including in the shed where they informed the returnees of terms of reference for quarantine)?

No Constabulary Officers were present at the shed area or during the issue of the terms of reference.

2 Roads Policing Officers were present to escort the coaches. One was a Police motorcyclist at the front, the other a vehicle at the rear. They were instructed not to use illuminated blue lights unless deemed necessary and not to use sirens. There was an additional RPU vehicle to assist at major junctions. This was in order to ensure the journey was continuous, ensuring no break in the convoy for any reason. ·Involved in the transportation to Comis including roadblocks at junctions and roundabouts (in cars and motorbikes)? ·How many were at the Comis Hotel? There were four dedicated Officers present. In addition the Chief Inspector of Operational Policing parked a marked vehicle away from the hotel but within the grounds. He wore standard uniform without any Personal Protective Equipment. Roads Policing Officers escorting the convoy did not enter the hotel and left the convoy prior to entering the grounds. Within the hotel there were two discreetly parked police vans. ·How many police vehicles were involved (cars, motorbikes, vans) In total – 2 cars and 1 motorcycle to Mount Murray then 2 vans discreetly parked within the grounds of the hotel. ·How we're the police at the Comis Hotel dressed? E.g. Riot gear, armoured vests. The Officers used were from a dedicated Covid 19 response unit. They wore Police issue overalls, black caps and standard personal protective equipment comprising of handcuffs and an extendable baton held in a tactical vest.
·Did the police at the Comis Hotel carry any firearms? Did they have any stun guns/tasers or the like? What other armament or weaponry did they carry. E.g. batons? " Firearms were not carried. One of the Officers present was a Taser trained Officer and therefore would have had his Taser holstered in his tactical vest. This is standard carry when on duty irrespective of the tasking given.

Please quote the reference number 1815301 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely