Isle of Man Police History

16/06/2025

IOMC Historian – Stand Down & page Changes

After 12+ years, it is with sincere regret that I must announce that with immediate effect, I shall no longer be fulfilling the role of Isle of Man Constabulary Historian. Therefore, this page will only be maintained and updated periodically on a private basis. The page will remain viewable, but I wish to make it clear that this page and its content is in no way connected to or endorsed by the Isle of Man Constabulary. I have changed the name of the page to reflect that. Please direct any official enquiries relating to the history of the Isle of Man Constabulary to the media officer at Police Headquarters.

I am immensely grateful for the support that I have received from so many former colleagues and members of the public over the years that I have fulfilled this role. I am especially grateful to those who have allowed me to be a part of their lives at the most delicate of times, especially when discussing details and photos following the passing of a loved one. I know that my efforts have not always been met with the positivity and support that I had hoped but I hope that those people are in the minority. To those whose expectations I have not met, I can only apologise – I have tried my best.

I am extremely saddened that I shall not be continuing in this role but due to several changes in procedures and circumstances beyond my control, the situation is now untenable for me to continue.

I have tried my best to provide worthwhile and interesting content although my primary objective was always to ensure that the names of our colleagues who have gone before us are not forgotten. I am thankful that in part, that has been achieved with the permanent memorial to fallen officers outside of Police HQ. My further ambition to establish an official Police Museum for now must remain simply that – an unfulfilled ambition. Perhaps in the future this can be revisited by others with better success – hope springs eternal!

I will continue to strive to preserve the history of policing in the Isle of Man but going forward, this will now be done so on a private basis. If you have archive material you would like to share, please feel free to contact me.

08/05/2025

Date and location unknown. Almost certainly late Victorian/early Edwardian era. Sadly, unnamed as well.

08/01/2025

Very sad news relating to a stalwart of the IOMC family:

Former member of Police staff, Brian Curphey ("Curph"), sadly died on Monday 6th January 2025, aged 79 years.

Curph was the former caretaker for Police HQ, doing all the jobs from general maintenance, building storage cupboards & plastering walls. He was also responsible for uniform supplies.

Curph also worked for a number of years as a Special Constable.
Curph lived in the RPU office, when it was accommodation and also in the old Willaston Police house. He was always game for a laugh, helpful and cheery.

Our sincere condolences go out to his wife, Ann and family.
Details of his funeral will be published when known.

Shared with kind permission of Supt. Maddocks

05/01/2025

Remembering PC Gordon Black who lost his life in the line of duty, 5th January 1966.

Gone but never forgotten.

19/11/2024

It is with great sadness that the death of former DCI Don Hulme is announced. Don passed away in the company of his family after a short illness on Thursday, 14th November 2024. He was 89 years of age.

Several years ago, Don kindly provided an album of photos relating to his career, which can be viewed in the photo albums section of this page.

Don’s son, Richard kindly provided the following tribute to his father:

“Don’s Police career started in October 1954. Being of that age and post war requirements of national service, Don decided to pack up his mechanics apprenticeship and as he was 18 chose to sign on full time in the Red Caps, The Royal Military Police.

Don’s deployment after training at Inkerman Barracks Surrey was as a Lance Corporal with the British Army of the Rhine. Germany was an occupied country, in which Don served for 3 years with Headquarters 11th Armored Divisional and 4th Infantry Divisional Provost Companies at Hereford.

During Don’s time in Hereford he was deployed in the Investigations Department. Don was promoted in March 1956 to Substantive Corporal and remained as the senior rank in his department. Don also served in detachments in Linden and Luneburg. His service with the British Army came to an end on 23rd April 1957.

Don signed up to the domestic police and was appointed Constable with Lancashire Constabulary, whereby his first probationary posting was in Horwich in the Bolton Division. Don served in Horwich at the time of the Winter Hill Air Crash on 27th February 1958 and worked in the recovery and identification of the casualties. Upon completion of his probationary period Don was transferred to Farnworth in the same division on crime patrol duties.

In February 1961 he transferred to CID duties in Seaforth, where he remained until July 1967 where he transferred to the South West District Crime Squad on promotion to Sergeant as the administration officer and assistant to the area CID Commander, Jack Watson. In August 1968 Don returned to Seathforth Division as Collator Criminal Intelligence, later returning to operational CID duties in 1969. Don & his late wife Mary (from the island but was also working in Lancashire County where they met) loved their life in Lancashire County police and called them the best years of their lives. They worked all over the North West policing the Grand National, The British Grand Prix and various football matches. Don also assisted in the review of evidence for the Moores Murders before the case went to court.

On 31 July 1974 Don resigned from Lancashire County Police due to the forced amalgamation, which resulted in him being co-opted into Merseyside Police. The family home in Formby was sold. Don, Mary and the children up sticks and moved to the Isle of Man where Don took up an appointment as Constable. October 1974 saw a deployment to the Ports & Special Branch Unit and on 1st December 1975 Don was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and as the head of the unit. He remained in this position until January 1982 when he reverted to uniformed Sergeant in Douglas.
Don was promoted to inspector in uniform in June 1982 and in January 1985 to Chief Inspector to take charge of the uniform branch. July 1986 saw change again when Don became Chief Inspector of Operations. A final change came in January 1987 when Don transferred back to CID, where he stayed until June 1988 when he retired.

On leaving the Police Service Don was employed by the Isle of Man Government Financial Supervision Commission. Firstly as Assistant Supervisor Research & Intelligence and later as Assistant to the Chief Executive and Senior Enforcement Officer. Don retired from the Commission in October 1992.

Don was fiercely proud and protective of the force and his colleagues and was renowned for being a no nonsense character when it came to work, but was always up for a pint when the serious matters had been dealt with.

He waxed lyrical about his two mentors Jack Watson from Lancashire County and Frank Weedon from IOM Constabulary and how proud he was to work for them.

A celebration of his life will be held at Kirk Braddan on 29/11/24 at 1pm followed by private family cremation.”

Rest in peace, Don. Thoughts and prayers go out to Don’s family, friends and former colleagues.

14/11/2024

It is with the most sincere regret and personal sense of pain that I share this recent media release from the IOMC media page.

Rest in peace, mate.

My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Steve’s family at this dreadfully difficult time.

The Isle of Man Constabulary is in mourning today following the death of Police Sergeant 212 Stephen Kenneth Hall yesterday evening, Wednesday 13th November 2024. The circumstances of his death will be subject to a Coroners Inquest but police are not treating it as suspicious. The Constabulary as a whole and those who knew Stephen or worked with him are deeply saddened by the news. Thoughts and deepest sympathy go to Stephen’s family and those close to him at this difficult time. The Police would like to request the public not to speculate about Sergeant Hall’s passing and to have respect for the family, friends and colleagues of him at this time.

02/11/2024

A timely opportunity to share a couple of recently acquired photos that were passed on by Onchan Commissioners, who had discovered them in storage.

The photos originate from Manx National Heritage archives and are dated November 1967, taken at Onchan Police Station.

Whilst the exact purpose of the visit is unknown, it must have been quite official as the then Chief Constable, Christopher Beatty-Pownall and the Lieutenant Governor Sir Peter Stallard feature in both photos.

The other two officers are Sgt Peter Moyer (in uniform) and Constable Eddie Prescott (in civilian suit).

If any former officers can shed any light on the nature of the occasion, it would be appreciated.

These photos are shared with the kind permission of Manx National Heritage, who retain the rights of ownership.

15/10/2024

The sad news has been received of the recent passing of former PC Peter H Stewart, aged 77.

Peter initially joined the IOMC as a Cadet on 30th September 1963, becoming an established Constable on 31st May 1966. Peter is fondly remembered as a very bright lad who undoubtedly would have gone far with his Police career had he remained in service. However, in 1968, Peter left the IOMC and went to work for Mylchreest Motors before becoming a driving instructor where he taught hundreds, if not indeed thousands of students to successfully pass their driving test, many of whom were children of Police Officers.

Rest in peace, Peter.

Peter's funeral will be held at Douglas Crematorium on Thursday, 17th October at 10am.

Sincere thanks to Dudley Butt for the above information.

09/09/2024

Kindly supplied by Mr Ray Wells.

19/08/2024