Armed Police

Summary

The request sought deployment statistics for armed police over the last five years and any policy changes. The Isle of Man Constabulary disclosed annual event counts distinguishing between non-firearms operational responses and deployments under firearms authority, while noting the introduction of a deployable Armed Response Vehicle.

Key Facts

• The Constabulary now operates a deployable Armed Response Vehicle (ARV) for threat mitigation and everyday policing duties.
• ARVs are utilized for enhanced first aid, method of entry, and driver training to protect vulnerable people and reduce harm.
• In 2024, there were 166 non-firearms operational responses and 23 deployments under firearms authority.
• In 2023, there were 16 non-firearms operational responses and 37 deployments under firearms authority.
• No non-firearms operational responses were recorded for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Data Disclosed

• 2024
• 166
• 23
• 2023
• 16
• 37
• 2022
• 3
• 2021
• 12
• 2020
• 6
• 2024-11-13
• 2024-12-06
• 4254037

Original Request

I seek publication of the total number of times armed police have been deployed on the island in each of the last five years. I also seek publication of any change in policy around the deployment of armed police, including written communications and/or action plans.

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: 4254037 6 December 2024

Dear

We write further to your request, received 13 November 2024, which states:

"I seek publication of the total number of times armed police have been deployed on the island in each of the last five years.
I also seek publication of any change in policy around the deployment of armed police, including written communications and/or action plans."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

Year Count of events where ARV has responded to operational matters non firearms related Deployed under a firearms authority to mitigate a threat, under the command of a tactical firearms commander *2024 166 23 2023 16 37 2022 - 3 2021 - 12 2020 - 6

We now have a deployable Armed Response Vehicle in order to be readily available to respond to and mitigate any identified threat or risk situation in line with their training. They are also utilised for everyday policing duties and are able to utilise there additional skills around enhanced first aid, method of entry, driver training etc in line with the policing strategy to protect vulnerable people, tackle criminality and reduce harm to the community. More information can be found here https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/no-dramatic-change-in- number-of-armed-officer-deployments/

Please quote the reference number 4254037 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