A minister has confirmed a recent change in Police policy for an armed response vehicle to be on patrol to enable “a more immediate response to incidents”.
However, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson would not be drawn much further, citing Constabulary concerns over organised crime groups.
Responding to questions from Arbory, Castletown, and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse in the House of Keys, Mrs Poole-Wilson explained that the constabulary’s budget structure makes it difficult to isolate exact firearms-related costs.
“Costs that relate to firearms and related expenditure are spread across general pay and training as well as general costs and minor capital replacement,” she said.
Decades
The Minister confirmed the armed response capability has existed for decades but acknowledged the operational shift to having a dedicated patrol vehicle.
Mr Moorhouse pressed for financial details, asking, “Is she able to give any indication at all in terms of what the cost has been of this change?”
Mrs Poole-Wilson reiterated that the adjustment was about deployment, not increasing officer numbers or major expenditure.
When questioned on welfare for officers juggling armed duties with other roles, the minister highlighted annual medical checks and trauma support systems.
Further wellbeing measures will be debated when members discuss the Chief Constable’s annual report.
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