The Covid-19 call centre team have received an award for their work during the pandemic at the chief constable’s annual awards ceremony.

Hosted by the Isle of Man Constabulary, the event that took place last week at the Gaiety Theatre saw many officers and members of the public recognised for their service.

The team were awarded the Community Partnership Initiative trophy which is an award given annually to recognise the strength of the Manx community.

Formed to create a telephone helpline service to help people with suspected Covid-19 during the pandemic, the group coordinated enquiries from members of the public and helped send individuals for testing.

In his citation, Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: ’Heroes do not always wear capes.

’There was no training and no rule book for them but they still offered reassurance and support to everyone.’

He described how the team, based at the Sea Terminal, dealt with a ’sheer volume of calls’ from the public who sought advice regarding Covid-19.

Sarah Reader, who was presented with the award, said: ’It is fantastic that the work of the Covid community call centre was recognised.

’It is a privilege to receive it on behalf of all those who worked with us during such a challenging time.’

The call centre was opened in March 2020.

Sergeant Gareth John also received an award for his encounter with an armed teenager.

He was awarded with the Chief Constable’s Commendation.

Mr Roberts said the award was for his ’courage and quick thinking’ while off duty.

On February 16, Mr John, who joined the Constabulary in 2015, noticed a man carrying a 12-inch machete on North Shore Road in Ramsey and despite being off duty, he used his car to block the man’s path and arrested him.

Meanwhile, Detective Superintendent Jarrod Bibby has been awarded this year’s R.K. Eason trophy.

The senior officer, who is responsible for criminal investigations and economic crime, was presented the award by Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer.

In his citation, Mr Roberts said that amid the emotional responses from the public to the pandemic, Mr Bibby showed exemplary leadership and ’through sheer determination’ helped to change all of the emergency procedures to incorporate and consider the pandemic.

He stated that the response is now used as a template across the UK.

Mr Bibby joined the Isle of Man Constabulary in 2007 and has since been involved in a number of areas of operational policing and development within the team.

This award is the top police accolade and the trophy was donated to the Isle of Man Constabulary in 1969 by the High Bailiff Mr R K Eason in appreciation of the Service during his time in office.

He asked it to be awarded to officers who ’contributed the most outstanding performance in the fields of police service’.