A strategy aimed at more effectively reducing crime, improving community safety and supporting victims of crime, has been published by the Royal Anguilla Police Force. Put together by Commissioner Paul Morrison, and his Management Team, the 40-page document covers the period 2016-2019.
The strategy was launched at a press conference on Tuesday, July 5. Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, who wrote a foreword to the document, told reporters that the strategy was another step by the Police to ensure the protection of the community. He said the strategy, approved by Executive Council, outlined various aspects of policing that would be very useful in taking forward that mission.
“The implementation of the document is critical and will require resources – and the Government has pledged itself to provide as many of those resources as possible, within the constraints of our budget, but the community must also support the Police in carrying out their mission,” the Chief Minister stated.
Acting Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, spoke on behalf of Governor Christina Scott, who also wrote a foreword to the strategy document. “I know the core mission of the Police remains unchanged, which is to preserve the peace and good order in society. We recognise that our society has changed and therefore policing must change with it,” Mr. Bradley observed. “The Policing Strategy is certainly a living document and it has the flexibility to adapt to our changing needs. What haven’t changed, though, are those commitments to the high ideals of honesty, integrity and respect, among other things.”
The Acting Governor continued: “I know that good policing doesn’t happen by chance. It requires vision and foresight and a good understanding of the community. I am pleased that the strategy makes a good point of building strong partnerships with the community. Commissioner Morrison, I applaud you and your efforts for giving the public a chance to offer an input into this document. I think it is crucial that there should be mutual respect and trust between the police and members of the community. I believe the strategy is robust and well thought out. I urge all stakeholders to do their part to ensure that the strategy is effectively implemented.”
Commissioner Morrison explained that the Policing Strategy had taken into account the views of the community at several consultations. “We have been consistent that it is about putting the public first,” he said. “Our aim is to reduce the risks to the public and the harms they may be exposed to, by improving our standards and skills so that we are better able to reduce those harms.”
He went on: “The plan focuses on intelligence-led policing which is about the management of risks and using intelligence to drive policing, rather than operational policing driving the intelligence…We have established partnerships, with the support of the Government, in West End; we are working now in Sandy Ground and have worked in the communities of Black Garden, Tackling, developing solutions. But it doesn’t end there. The strategy talks about structure, our values, and it introduces a code of ethics which is a series of pledges officers should make…We also picked up on the use of force, and in the document there is a clear understanding as to when and how the police can use force…
“The strategy will be put in hard copy in the Public Library. It will be on the Government’s website – linked to the Royal Anguilla Police Facebook page – and will be copied at our front counter to be read by persons who may be waiting for service. We are accountable to the public. We operate on taxpayers’ money and this plan really exposes the Police Force to the scrutiny of the public.”
The broad outlines of the Policing Strategy include an overview of the strategic objectives of the Royal Anguilla Police Force; its Values and Mission; Keeping Anguilla Safe; the Roles and Responsibilities of the Police Force; Resource Management; Communications, Strategies, Performance and Accountability; Performance Objectives and Targets, and the Police Code of Ethics.
