It is with a melancholy that I locked up AG Chambers for the last time on Friday night. If there was any compensation, it was being invited over to the Police Station for a farewell drink with the hard-working men and women of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. An absolute delight to drink a farewell beer (and lose too many games of pool) to dozens of friends in the police force. I shall always treasure being presented with my own RAPF black shirt emblazoned on the back with “AG MCKENDRICK”. To be worn carefully: impersonating a police officer is a criminal offence. What I will treasure most, however, was being presented with the Commissioner’s epaulets. Humbling and an immense pleasure to be recognised by the Commissioner and his colleagues in this way. They will be carefully mounted and framed and will adorn the wall of wherever I call home. Thank you to the RAPF for your integrity, dedication and hard work to keep the people of Anguilla and her visitors safe. Stay safe.
Given the strong links between AG Chambers and the RAPF, it is satisfying that in the last two years there have been no claims for malicious prosecution or false imprisonment arising out of police activities. The AG Chambers and the RAPF have worked very well and that has been evidenced through a record number of successful and fair prosecutions over the last year. I thank the criminal team in AG Chambers for their hard work. The civil team have also enjoyed great success over the last two years with very few cases being settled against the Government and a mere two cases succeeding before the civil courts. The civil team are to be congratulated for their hard work. The drafting team have also materially assisted by designing laws to keep Anguilla safe, by maintaining compliance with international organisations and by developing Anguilla’s economy through effective legislation. I thank all my staff at AG Chambers and in particular the administrative staff who work so hard to support the efficient working of the office.
Wider Anguilla society has also benefited from the thorough debate that has taken place over recent months in respect of the Criminal Justice Reform Bill and the Child Protection Bill. The justice system has long needed a shake up and it has been a privilege to be involved in the debate and to help explain why areas of reform are necessary to protect the most vulnerable on the island. Ultimately, and correctly, it is for the elected representatives of the people to determine what new laws will pass. I shall continue to follow the debate, albeit, from greater interest.
Whilst I have demitted office as Attorney General, I was delighted be called to the Bar of Anguilla during my last week. I look forward to regularly returning to exercise my rights of audience. Meanwhile, I shan’t be too far from Anguilla. I write this short piece for my good friend, Nat Hodge, from Trinidad and later today will begin work in Guyana as an Inter-American Development Bank consultant for the Government to help reform their legal aid system. Soon, I shall also be in the Bahamas to promote the new Anguilla AUTO Act, and St Kitts to help support our Regional Law Revision Centre. Once bitten with the Caribbean bug, it’s hard to leave.
When I was sworn in before the House of Assembly in September 2016, I asked Anguillians to judge me on my performance and the extent to which we can say we abide by the rule of law. I leave with no doubts that through collaboration, team work and hard work, our justice system has been strengthened and will be strengthened further soon; that Government acts within the law; and that criminals are punished – impunity is not known to us.
It’s been a privilege to be welcomed into your island community. Thank you.
