Christina Scott
The Royal Anguilla Police Force’s 43rd anniversary and police week has as its theme – ‘Ready to protect, proud to be of Service, relentless in our pursuit of safety and justice’. Yet again, it is a theme that challenges all in the force to attain the highest standards in all they do, and challenges us to ensure we support and equip the force to succeed.
I congratulate the police for their focus and efforts through 2014. Overall, crime levels were slightly down on 2013 figures, by around 5%. Burglary and theft continue to be the most common crimes, accounting for almost half of the offences committed. Good progress has made in bringing to justice those accused of the most serious crimes.
At the same time, the RAPF have continued to develop their skills, and equip the force to deliver. New vehicles are in use, with more scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks. A police sniffer dog – a generous gift from a local company – is improving the police’s capacity to detect gun crime. We have improved the communications skills of the force, through on-the-ground training, and secondments abroad. Close protection training, funded by the UK, means that the force is better equipped to ensure the safety of visiting dignitaries. In recent weeks, the UK has funded senior command training for the top of the force, to improve their capacity to respond to complex fast-moving events, and trained sixty-six officers in operational response. Enhanced cooperation between all overseas territories forces is helping the exchange of information, and the fight across cross-border crime, with improved links to Interpol.
All of this making the force more ready to protect, and better equipped for the challenge of pursuing safety and justice.
These successes would not have been possible without the support of the Governments both here in Anguilla and in the UK, and the engagement of the private sector. My thanks go to them all.
Let me also thank those in the public who continue to support the police.
There have been many cases in the past year when information passed to the police has helped to prevent crime or identify those responsible for it. I am grateful to those who, despite our small community, have resisted turning a blind eye. Their determination to see justice done has helped put those who would cause harm behind bars. Thanks to information received from the public, for example, the suspects for all three of the gun-related murders last year are currently in prison awaiting trial.
But I also know there are still many occasions, when members of the public hold important information in relation to criminal activity, but do not share this with the police.
Under these circumstances the police are oftentimes restricted in laying charges. Cases cannot be progressed. Justice cannot be done. My challenge to the public is to think about what silence means for the wider community, when potentially dangerous people remain free as a result of that silence.
The importance of the relationship between citizens and those paid to protect them, is paramount.
Individuals 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 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.
This Police week will sadly be the last under the leadership of Commissioner Proctor. So, finally, let me take this opportunity to thank him for his outstanding service to the RAPF. I am sorry that I was not able to persuade him to extend his contract beyond his retirement age, despite my best efforts. I am therefore currently recruiting a new Commissioner, and hope to be able to make an announcement by the end of next month. Whoever replaces him will have big boots to fill, and need the support of both the force and the community to fill them.
So amidst the many activities over the next week, and as we thank the police, I would continue to encourage everyone to consider what they can do to support the police in their pursuit of safety and justice.
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. They must be ready to protect us, and relentless in their efforts. But they need our help and sustained cooperation.
(Publishhed without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
