The newly-appointed Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Mr. David P. Lynch, will be a keen observer on the island as he assumes his duties for the next three years. He will be listening to the views of residents, and will see how some of the ideas he has can best fit in with community policing of which he is a huge fan.
He was at the time speaking to The Anguillian newspaper, just minutes after signing his contract with Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam on Friday, February 19, at Police Headquarters.
“What will be some of the first things you will be doing in Anguilla,” he was asked.
“I will be walking and driving around, stopping and listening to what people are telling me, and to ask them questions to find out exactly what the issues are,” he replied. “I have come up here from a great distance away [St. Helena] and I have some ideas but, once I have a chance to listen to what the people’s issues are, my intention will be to build on all the good work of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. I am a huge fan of community policing. There will be some development issues, as always, but I will definitely be committed to community policing.”
In his brief acceptance address, Commissioner Lynch said: “This is a fantastic honour to be selected as the Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. It is an absolute privilege, and I am very pleased to be here…to build on the work that the previous Commissioner, Paul Morrison, all the staff and partners have done. This will be priority for the next few years – to make sure that I build up, and that we deliver the best service we can for the people of Anguilla.”
He went on: “Most people say I am quite nice and that I am very hardworking. I really work very hard, and certainly I have an absolute focus on delivering the very best service I can for the people of Anguilla. The third thing that everybody would say about me is that I am absolutely passionate about policing because it can change people’s lives, and that is why I am so keen to be here.
“I am incredibly positive. When I first went to St. Helena one of the Inspectors gave me a card thanking me for being so positive…I am very determined to build on the good work in Anguilla, and will make sure that we take policing to the next level. That’s my commitment to the police service. That’s my commitment to the Governor; and that’s my commitment to the people of Anguilla.”
Her Excellency Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam said she was delighted to confirm Mr. Lynch as the new Police Commissioner for Anguilla. She was pleased that many police officers were included in the ceremony – as well as elected representatives from across the island, representatives from across the justice system and the emergency services.
The Governor continued: “The new Commissioner brings with him a wealth of experience. He has worked in three police forces and, over the past thirteen years, has demonstrated effective leadership in senior policing and multi-agency command roles, delivering effective responses to a diverse range of policing challenges.
“He most recently was the Chief of Police in the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena – essentially Tristan da Cunha. And in this role Commissioner Lynch built the capability of the police force, increasing standards and ensuring that officers, from across all ranks, received effective training and mentorship to advance in their careers. More widely, he strategically led the police force to develop a model of community policing – and worked closely with the Attorney General to establish a prosecution team approach in order to achieve successful criminal justice outcomes.
“I know from my initial conversations with Commissioner Lynch that he is not seeking to approach his role here in Anguilla with any preconceived views. He is keen to be a visible person, and is just as eager as I was to explore each of the districts, meet with our different communities and understand the island.
“Given his background, I am confident that Anguilla can look forward to an effective and collaborative working relationship with the new Commissioner.”
The Governor then invited Commissioner Lynch to step forward so that she could formally confirm his in him role. They both signed the instrument of appointment.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Elliott Forbes, who had been serving as Acting Commissioner, welcomed Mr. Lynch to the Royal Anguilla Police Force, and to the island, and surrendered the badges of appointment which he temporarily wore. He pledged that he and the other ranks of the Force would work with him to deliver quality service to the Anguillian communities – “our valuable customers.”
The Master of Ceremonies was Detective Inspector, Mr. Shem Wills.
