At the Government House in Old Ta, on Wednesday afternoon, December 16th, seventeen officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force were awarded with special medals for long service. The officers were duely commended by Governor Foy for what can be considered a touching reflection of dedication and commitment to the policing profession in Anguilla.
According to Detective Inspector, Shem Willls, who moderated the ceremony, the purpose of the event was to show appreciation for the well-deserving police officers in a public setting. He explained the background and history behind the long service medal awards for police professionals: “Presentation of long service medals was established on March 23rd 1934 for fire brigade and police officers,” he stated. “A new royal warrant was issued on March 23rd 1956 provided for separate colonial police and fire brigade medals. The name of the medal was then sanctioned as Colonial Police Long Service Medal.”
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Morrison, applauded each Officer upon the individual presentation of their medals but, in general, he complimented all seventeen for their efficient, brave and stalwart service: “It has long been recognized that service to the community, especially within the policing sphere, is tough,” he observed. “Policing is not just an art form,” he noted, “but it is also a science. The art of policing comes from that innate quality which every officer must have. This is often called ‘gut instinct’ and it is often honed in the furnace of frontline policing and often in the most difficult of circumstances.”
He noted: “It is a tremendous effort on your part, when persons have served in policing for eighteen years and more and are still willing to give that committed service to the public. This is what we celebrate here today.”
His Excellency the Governor, Tim Foy, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, shook the hands of each awarded officer in a cordial greeting, and he shared with them personal and distinctive words of commendation. Prior to the issuance of the medals, the Governor stated: “It’s not an easy vocation being a police officer. My father, as a good Irishman, used to say: ‘There is no situation I can imagine that is so dismal or dire that a policeman cannot make it worse.’
“Well, that is the way in which many people view the police — as something to be reviled and avoided. But I think the Royal Anguilla Police Force has reversed that. You officers are a part of the community which you embrace, and the community looks up to you…Everyone who receives an award today receives it in recognition of the personal sacrifices that you have made in doing a very difficult job, and doing it very well—professionally and with great dedication.”
Together, Governor Foy and Commissioner Morrison officiated in issuing the awards. Officers who were awarded the Colonial Police Long Service Medal were: Geresa Clarke-Bernard; Shanice Bryson, Edson Charles; Randy Dick; St. Teval Duke; Lindon Duncan; Darell Gumbs; Patmore Harrigan; Vanroy Herbert; Godfrey John; Josiah John; Teddy Joseph; Leonard Lake; Cheslon Matthews; Kenneth Millette; Beverly Thompson; and Shanette Webster.
Both Governor Foy and Commission Morrison will be leaving the island upon completion of their stints of service at the end of this year. The Anguillian wishes them both safe sojourn and productivity in their future pursuits.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
