It is of much interest that, in its 48th Anniversary and Police Week, the Royal Anguilla Police Force is officially using its own human and financial resources to deliver a sixth-month training course for twelve new recruits.
Some elements of police training, focused mainly on basic principles of law and order, were undertaken by the Metropolitan Police at the turn of the 1970s following the 1969 British occupation of Anguilla. That was when the island had no connection with the Regional Police Training Centre in Barbados – and was embarking on having its own organised police force. The then early force, trained to deal with petty offences, was established in January 1972 by which time a number of experienced Anguillian police officers, serving in the Caribbean area, were recruited to fill leadership roles. It is that year that marked the introduction of the Anniversary and Police Week observances now taking place on the island.
For a number of years, since 1972, police officers, who are nationals of Anguilla and other Caribbean islands, have had their initial training for the Anguilla Police Force in Barbados. It is only now, since then, that the training is being done in Anguilla.
The 2020 Royal Anguilla Police Recruit Training and Orientation Ceremony for the 12 recruits, bringing the Force nearer to its 100-plus complement, was held at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on January 23. The event had as its theme: “Building capacity while adapting to an evolving society”.
The recruit training course commenced on January 14 and runs until June 27. The venue for the training is the former Central Christian School building at Rey Hill – and the Commandant is Mr. Kenneth Millett of the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Morrison, now in his four-and-a-half years of service in Anguilla, introduced the course as part of his continued improvement initiatives, focusing on a wider professionally-trained force, and one that is in keeping with the policing needs of Anguilla.
“Without doubt, this training programme is tough. It will be as tough as it was in Barbados, if not tougher,” he warned. “The expectations of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, through its officers, are extremely high. Before the recruits were sworn in, they had to swear to take pledges with a code of ethics. No officers had to do this before. These pledges make a commitment to serve the public of Anguilla without fear, prejudice or discrimination; to act at all times within the law – and whether on or off-duty they will always be police officers and ambassadors for this force.
He went on: “Our expectations of them are that these officers are the start of a programme that, over many years, will change the face of policing in Anguilla. It is absolutely important for us that police officers are professional; they respect the rights of the public; identify victims and the needs of victims at an early stage – and respond to those needs; identify and support witnesses; and deal with suspects in a humanitarian way so that the evidence that we gained can stand the test of the judicial process – and that we succeed in securing conviction.”
Mr. Morrison further stated: “At the moment, I think it’s like any new adventure full of energy and vigour. But three months in, they are going to get tired. There will be times when they will doubt why they chose this profession. They will lose friends they had. Those who are true friends will stay with them forever, but because you are police officers your relationship with the public needs to change. The things you used to do, you may not be able to do because you are being watched 24/7. Your conduct must be beyond reproach at all times.”
The Police Commissioner gave this description of the course content: “As we go through it, we will be focusing on investigating crime; securing evidence; ensuring that witnesses are identified at an early stage; knowing when to lock down and seal and preserve forensic opportunities that we will need in major crime investigation because, as we know, it is culturally difficult at times for witnesses to come forward. But they must act, at all times, with the public in mind.”
Speaking about the reason for the training in Anguilla, the Commissioner emphasized: “It is not about financial savings. It is about building capacity by building police officers who are professional; have standards that they can aspire to and achieve; act with discretion and accountability, and deliver a service to the people of Anguilla. This is what this course is about. Not about saving money.”
Governor Tim Foy, OBE, thanked the recruits for their interest in policing in Anguilla and assured them that they had embarked on a significant commitment; the team for their hard work for organising the course; and the families of the recruits and the wider community for their support.
“That is important because it means that the officers are being trained in an environment in which they are getting the things that people want to see the police qualified and experienced in – and also ensure that quality assurance is even better,” he commented. “I think it is a brave and important move and one that I would like to see continuing in the future.”
Premier Victor Banks told the recruits that they had now become part of the essential services of Anguilla – and so their recruitment was a commitment, and something they would have to embrace with the rigorous training programme.
Premier Banks observed that the training was not a budgetary consideration but about making a training programme that was appropriate to the needs of Anguilla. “I like the theme – that you are building capacity for an evolving society – because things in Anguilla are changing and you have to adapt to those changes and prepare yourself to deliver the kind of service that is important for security of our country. It is critical,” he said. “As we move forward, we are especially concerned about our safety, security and the other elements of security that come into play in this evolving society – and the new technologies. Some of you will have to prepare yourself to be involved in cyber security as well, so this is a long stretch of training which can take place throughout your life time.”
The wide¬-ranging and day-long training programme for the police recruits was outlined by the Commandant, Mr. Kenneth Millett. He has been a longstanding Police Officer and Court Prosecutor with the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Commissioner Morrison proposed a toast to the new recruits.
