It has been announced today by The Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Mrs Jane Poole-Wilson MHK, that Deputy Chief Constable Russell Foster of West Yorkshire Police has been named as the successor to the current Chief Constable Gary Roberts.
This appointment follows approval by the DHA and Council of Ministers who ratified the appointment recently.
Commenting on the appointment, Richard Hewitt chair of The Police Federation of the Isle of Man said:
"I am pleased that the Department and Council of Ministers have appointed Mr Foster for the position of Chief Constable of the Constabulary”.
“Throughout the recruitment process and during his interview Mr Foster demonstrated his extensive understanding of the complexities facing The Isle of Man, both in terms of community issues, production of controlled drugs to the island and the financial challenges the Constabulary bear, while also dealing with ever complex crimes”.
"During the rigorous recruitment process Mr Foster impressed with his passion and commitment to policing on The Isle of Man, which he has demonstrated not only through this process, but in how he has ensured strong leadership in the roles he has performed in a varied and successful career serving communities across the East Midlands."
"He has worked in West Yorkshire since 2014 after previously serving at all ranks including Deputy Chief Constable across three forces in the East Midlands Region starting his career as a Police Constable with Nottinghamshire Police in 1993”.
"Mr Foster will come to this role with a huge amount of knowledge and experience of the diversity, opportunities and challenges facing The Isle of Man, a place he can now call home”.
"Mr Foster underwent a rigorous recruitment process and really impressed with his passion and commitment to policing on the island and during his career with West Yorkshire, which he has demonstrated not only through this process, but in how he has ensured strong leadership which is borne out of a varied and successful career serving communities across the East Midlands."
Mr Foster has over 29 years’ experience in policing, a master’s degree in Police Leadership and Management and has served at all ranks. He has led his current force through unprecedented financial challenges whilst improving performance, he has also served as the Head of Homicide and Major Crime, Professional Standards and of Serious & Organised Crime Units.
“The Police Federation of the Isle of Man would also like to place on record how hugely grateful we all are to the current Chief Constable Gary Roberts who will officially retire on the 31st of March 2023 for his personal commitment, sacrifice and outstanding contribution to public service for almost 4 decades.”
“We look forward to having the same healthy, honest and productive dialog with Mr Foster that we have been privileged to have with Mr Roberts, it’s fair to say that Mr Foster has big boots to fill but he will have the support of the Federation from the outset”.
Mr Foster will join the Constabulary as Chief Constable Designate in the post of Deputy Chief Constable from February 2023 to work alongside Chief Constable Gary Roberts until he retires on 31 March 2023.