The Isle of Man Constabulary has laid out its future aspirations in its annual report.
The Department of Home Affairs is looking to bring the Justice Reform (Amendment) Bill forward before the end of 2024.
It says this will offer efficiencies for the criminal justice system, particularly the summary court.
It will also aim to resolve practical issues and enable priority changes within youth justice, conditional cautions and electronic monitoring.
Future Aspirations
Regulations under the Domestic Abuse Act are currently being written by the department to enable the police to utilise ‘Clare’s Law’ which enables police to disclose information to a victim or potential victim of domestic abuse about their partner’s or ex-partners previous abuse or violent offending.
There is ongoing work to bring secondary instruments under the Police Act 1993, including changes to Police Complaints Legislation.
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is currently under construction and due for completion in the first quarter of 2025 with the aim of being fully functional by May 2025.
The SARC will provide specialist support, medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted, regardless of whether the individual chooses to report the matter to the police.
Sexual Offence First Response Officers
In the last quarter of the financial year 2023/24 the constabulary have trained an additional 30 officers as Sexual Offence First Response Officers (SOFRO), including the whole of the Protecting Vulnerable People Investigations Team.
From December 2024 all new student officers will be trained as SOFRO.
It will also become mandatory for all uniformed response officers to receive training as a SOFRO too.
The constabulary say this will enhance the quality of service to victims of rape and sexual violence and yield evidential opportunities to provide a positive outcome for the victim.
The full report can be read here.
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