External inspections of the island’s police force and fire and rescue service are to be carried out.

The move was announced in Tynwald by Chief Minister Howard Quayle in his state of the nation speech.

Mr Quayle said it was part of a possible major shake-up of the structure of the Department of Home Affairs and the police and fire services.

Under the plan, the department is to have its portfolio widened to become the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs.

A Council of Ministers sub-committee with responsibility for justice policy, chaired by Graham Cregeen as Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, will also be created.

Mr Quayle said this will start the ’transition towards a more centralised approach to policy making’.

He said the idea of a separate Ministry of Justice had been ruled out.

But in Tynwald, concerns were raised about the new-look department in relation to separation of powers and possible conflicts of interest.

Jane Poole-Wilson MLC said: ’This would be quite an extensive portfolio - police, prison, probation, courts, prosecutions, tribunals, legal aid.

’What analysis has been undertaken into the potential for conflict of interests and safeguarding the operational independence of the different agencies of the justice system and maintainance of separation of powers?’

Mr Quayle insisted this was about ’streamlining’ and there was no intention to undermine the independence of the courts. ’Of course we need to tread carefully,’ he said.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services will be commissioned to carry out the reviews.

The terms of reference will include operational performance, effectiveness, policy and governance.

’These reviews will help inform the future structure of the department and the functions beneath it,’ he said.

Mr Cregeen said: ’I am confident that the Constabulary and the Fire and Rescue Service provide an excellent service to our community.

’It’s important though, to ensure that we have external assurance too.

’In particular I am keen to understand how these vital functions perform in terms of accountability, governance, performance and effectiveness.

’I also want to know how well we respond to and seek public input in the way our services are designed.

The Minister added: ’An inspection will determine how efficient, effective and responsive these important public services are, and highlight any areas for improvement.’

The Constabulary was last inspected in 2014.

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