Form or substance, what is our preference? Recent activities that have been lauded by many of us suggest that we are easily impressed by form, while failing to give consideration to substantive matters.
Some activities that come to mind are the planting of shrubbery along the newly renovated Carter Rey Boulevard. The many gaps in the shrubbery, resulting from dying or dead plants, are evidence of the failure to consider and implement an adequate irrigation system to ensure the survival of the plants. The renovations to the People’s Market came in for high praise, but a cursory look at the roofing clearly suggests that further work will very shortly be required. Could the roofing have been coated so as to ensure its durability?
Photo opportunities appear to be the order of the day. Elected and appointed government officials appear to seize every opportunity to have their picture taken and posted on social media, even when engaging in the most mundane or routine activities. These activities usually make for a good show but do nothing to implement or improve policies and programmes designed to benefit Anguillians and residents of Anguilla.
It appears that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police could possibly fall prey to this new phenomenon of seizing every moment for a photo opportunity. More is expected of him. Capturing his familiarisation visits to various churches, served a two-fold and acceptable purpose of allowing him to meet members of the community while also allowing him to be known to members of the community. Being pictured on social media manning the speed radar has, however, raised some eyebrows. Is this the best use of the Commissioner of Police’s time, skills and experience? Leading from the front is indeed a commendable trait but issuing the appropriate directive and featuring the traffic officers wielding the speed radar would certainly send the message that the RAPF will be vigilantly enforcing the speed limits on our roads.
The Commissioner has more significant and immediate concerns. The Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) has expressed a desire to build a relationship of trust with the Anguillian community. Anguillians and residents of Anguilla are waiting to see how the RAPF deals with the incident that occurred on Tuesday 23rd May, 2023 involving four elected officials and a private citizen at Tasty’s restaurant. The incident was captured and widely circulated on video. It is no exaggeration to say that persons of all walks of life throughout Anguilla, the region and the world have seen the video and have formed a view as to what, if any, criminal acts were committed by a minister of government. The officers of the RAPF are expected to carry out their duties without fear or favour. Will this be evident in their investigation of this incident? The public is watching, and how this matter unfolds will be Commissioner Clark’s first major test. Will he be a photo opportunity cop, concerned primarily with form, or will his primary concern be to address and resolve matters in a substantive manner?
How Commissioner Clark delivers his mandate will be dependent on what is demanded of him. If Anguilla’s populace is happy with form over substance, which often appears to be the case, then he will only have to avail himself of certain strategic photo opportunities to receive high commendation. If, however, substance is demanded, and I hope this will be the case, then Commissioner Clark and the officers of the RAPF collectively will have to earn the public’s trust by ensuring that fair and equal treatment is meted out to all persons irrespective of their social, political or financial status.
Policing in Anguilla must reflect substance and not merely form if we are to engender respect for the rule of law in Anguilla.
