The Isle of Man Constabulary has been shortlisted for a prestigious UK award in recognition of its success in achieving high levels of performance through a focus on staff development and learning.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) People Management Awards, delivered in partnership with People Management Magazine, celebrate outstanding achievements in the field of human resources.
The Isle of Man Constabulary faces stiff competition in the Organisational Learning category, with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Harrods, HMV, Scottish Water and Steelite International plc completing the line-up.
The Manx force made the final six from a record number of entries by demonstrating an organisational culture that promotes learning, talent and performance as well as encouraging openness among employees about their development needs.
Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts and Organisational Development Manager Clare Porter were invited to London yesterday (Wednesday, September 5) to deliver a presentation to a panel of industry experts and senior HR professionals from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. The final decision will be announced at the Awards ceremony on October 17.
DCC Roberts said: ‘Obviously we are in very esteemed company, with the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics amongst those in the same category. It is very encouraging to be in contention for this award and to have an opportunity to demonstrate how helping our staff to achieve their full potential supports efforts to combat crime in the Isle of Man. We have a strong focus on professional development which reflects a desire throughout the organisation to achieve the highest possible standards of performance and public service. I see this as being important for the Island as a whole: having an effective, innovative police service benefits everyone. The better we are, then the more attractive the Island is as a place for new business.’
Making the shortlist for the CIPD People Management Awards represents a significant turnaround for the Isle of Man Constabulary. In 2006 a survey concluded that perceived quality of working life in the Manx force was poor.
In the past six years the Constabulary has transformed into a values-driven, people-focused organisation where learning and development are the norm. In 2012, thanks to this HR-led cultural overhaul, the Constabulary achieved the Investors In People (IIP) Gold accreditation, the only police force in the British Isles to do so.
Mark Kelly, Chief Executive Officer at the Department of Home Affairs, congratulated officers and support staff of all ranks, saying: ‘For any organisation to be shortlisted for a CIPD People Management Award is a major achievement, but for a complex police force that is continually modernising to do so is nothing short of exceptional. There could be no clearer indicator of the scale of progress made by the IoM Constabulary than the fact that its rivals for this award are organisations such as LOCOG and Harrods.’
He added: ‘Nurturing talent and encouraging employees to develop are important aspects of maintaining a cost-effective, innovative and productive organisation. Statistics show a significant reduction in recorded crime in recent years, so it is clear that investment in staff development within the Constabulary is continuing to pay dividends.’
