Police firearms capability essential due to 'dangerous and volatile' world

Fri, 29 Jul 2016

Spending extensive amounts of money on firearms capability has to take priority because it would be 'foolish' to think the Isle of Man has 'permanent immunity' from threats seen elsewhere.

That's the message from the Chief Constable of the Manx police force who says it has to take precedence because we live in a 'dangerous, volatile and uncertain world'.

In the 12 months between April 2015 and March this year the firearms team - which is made up of volunteer police officers - was deployed on four occasions.

PC Carl Woods is the lead instructor - he says whilst the threat level is generally low it's a resource the Island must have.

Officers undertake extensive training and reaccreditation throughout the year - PC Woods says the training is intense for a reason: