If one were to look in the backyard of Police Headquarters in Anguilla, the first thing that would catch the eye, in a most unpleasant manner perhaps, is a number of old and wrecked vehicles almost reminiscent of the dumpsite at Corito. As would be correctly imagined, some of the junk includes a number of Police vehicles which are either irreparable, for one reason or the other, or have simply served their day. One therefore wonders why the condemned vehicles are left to take up valuable space or to create an eyesore rather than being appropriately discarded.
But that is not the real point of this editorial. The intention is to say that it is high time for the Royal Anguilla Police Force to be outfitted with a new fleet of vehicles. It is either that the Police have not been clamouring hard enough for new and suitable transportation to effectively patrol the community, and to undertake other related duties, or their cries have fallen on deaf ears in Government or in the Governor’s Office for a long time. The latter is most likely the true case. In the past, there have been instances where vehicles, both unsuitable and already worn-out by other Government ministries and departments, have been turned over to the Police and new ones acquired to replace them at taxpayers’ expense. Probably, for all intentions and purposes, there may have already been similar plans to repeat the process which, to say the least, would be unacceptable and perhaps even shameful.
It is therefore with much support for the Police and the relief and dignity they may feel, for us to report that our hardworking, but at times handicapped, lawmen are soon to have a fleet of new vehicles to do their work. What is of additional commendation is that the cost is evidently not a burden to the Anguillian taxpayers. This is seen in an Executive Council meeting minute, dated Wednesday, February 26, 2014. It reads: Council decided to purchase seven new police vehicles in the amount of US$294,000.00 (EC$787,920.00), through the Governor’s Office, from the UK Capital Grant. Council noted that these vehicles were expected to take around six months to arrive in Anguilla since they would need to be custom built.
This is a matter for much commendation and one which should offer much encouragement and comfort to the Commissioner and other ranks of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. It has been long held that with the Governor’s Office having responsibility for the Police and the internal security of the island, that one of its priorities must be the improvement and equipping of the Police Force to adequately fulfil its task and mandate. It must be acknowledged that in recent times the Police were the recipients of other useful assistance including a much-needed finger-printing machine.
In these days, when crime is unfortunately on the increase in Anguilla, one of the sure ways to fight it is to ensure that our Police Officers are well-equipped and given the clout they need to properly police the community. A point to be taken seriously is that criminals are in a position to observe the strengths and weaknesses of our law enforcement agencies. If these agencies are seen to be ineffectual, in one way or another, the criminals are better able to plan and execute their strategies – even to a point where they can outsmart and out-manoeuvre the Police.
Apart from equipment, the enlistment of additional recruits and specialised training, the Police also need the cooperation of the public – a matter that continues to be in high demand in crime detection and successful prosecution. When all of us, in our own separate ways, support and assist the Police in all areas of their service, there are some very positive results. Chiefly among them is the fact that we are aiding crime detection in Anguilla and contributing to the preservation of a peaceful and law-abiding society.
