This week marks the Royal Anguilla Police Force’s 42nd anniversary and police week. It is a chance to celebrate and thank the police for what has been achieved, but also to take stock on what needs to be improved.
This year’s theme – ‘fostering community participation, creating a crime-free nation’ – could not be more timely. Or more ambitious. It is a challenge with which every nation in the world struggles. There are no magic solutions. It is a challenge that is bigger than simply police activity – it is a challenge for us all. Put simply, reducing crime requires a whole of society approach. It demands that we all play a role.
Of course this can feel an overwhelming challenge, particularly when violent crimes rip families and communities apart, and lead to loss of life. But it is a challenge we need to address, so that our economy does not suffer, so that our elderly do not feel vulnerable, and so that our children can grow up in safe communities.
So how might we make this a reality?
Firstly, an island as small as Anguilla should be able to work together to prevent people from becoming criminals, and support those who have from reoffending. Criminals, and those who would do us harm, are products of the society in which they have been brought up and live, their education, their families and their economic prospects.
Identifying early those most at risk of slipping into criminal activity – and working on a cross-agency basis to provide alternative life choices for them, is crucial. This is something in which schools, parents, churches, those involved in activities for young people, health professionals, businesses, government and others have a role. In addition, every adult can choose to play a positive role in a young person’s life, coaching and mentoring them, and being a friendly ear who takes their worries seriously.
Second, the community, with police support, can work to harden targets so that it is tougher for criminals to succeed.
Simple steps like securing properties, improving lighting, and cutting down high bushes around houses can help deter burglars. Businesses can improve CCTV coverage, and change their practices so that unnecessarily large amounts of cash aren’t vulnerable. And teaching our children and other vulnerable people in our communities about personal safety can help them avoid harmful situations.
Third, we need to support the police in disrupting criminals before they commit a crime
Central to this is having a trusting relationship between the police and the community when it comes to sharing information. If an individual knows anything that may prevent a future crime, they should not turn a blind eye. We have a collective moral responsibility to do what we can to ensure Anguilla is as safe as it can be for all its inhabitants. If we are not willing to do it for others, then why should we assume that others will give the police information that might prevent us from becoming the next victim?
Equally, individuals taking the brave step of passing information to the police must feel that the information will be protected, and their identities also. I know from discussing with the Commissioner the importance he attaches to the trustworthiness of his officers, and his determination to hold his force to the very highest standards when they receive information. The high level of trust that is essential will only come about if the police are deeply rooted in the community they serve.
Finally, when those determined to commit crime succeed, we need to support and work with the police and the criminal justice system to bring them to justice.
It is encouraging that so many people recognise that without support from the community it is simply not possible for the police to investigate and prosecute gun crime. But equally, there are guilty people that the police would love to take action against, but who are walking free today because witnesses are reluctant to make the statements that would put them behind bars.
So the community has its key role to play. And to support them, those with an influence on legislation, control of the purse-strings, and roles in the Courts, need to consider how we can protect the identity of witnesses, so that they feel more comfortable giving the crucial evidence that will put perpetrators behind bars. We also need to ensure the RAPF and the criminal justice system more widely have the tools they need to do the job.
This all is a hefty agenda, and one will continue to be the subject of much debate.
So amidst the many enjoyable activities over the next week – the dominos, the Queen show, the food fair – I would encourage everyone to reflect on what they can do to support the police in their core mission of reducing crime.
We should certainly challenge our police to reach the highest standards of policing. Indeed, that should be the case for any public service working for citizens. But in doing so, we must recognise that the police cannot fulfil their responsibilities without the sustained support of every part of society.
