Mrs. Amanda Stewart and Mr. Mitchell Harrigan
The newly-appointed Commissioner of Police for Anguilla, Mrs. Amanda Stewart, is looking forward to working closely with the community when she assumes her duties on the island in July.
The Northern Ireland national was the guest of honour at a small cocktail reception held at Government House on April 16 by Governor Christina Scott. Among the invited guests were the out-gong Police Commissioner, Mr. Rudolph Proctor, and two former Commissioners, Mr. Keithly Benjamin (now Magistrate) and Mr. Mitchell Harrigan.
The Governor particularly welcomed Mrs. Stewart and was pleased that she was looking forward to returning to Anguilla, having seen the island and met a number of persons.
Governor Scott took the opportunity to express gratitude to Mr. Proctor for the hard work of the police, including their role in the general election. She added that a formal send-off for him was being planned.
Replying, to the Governor’s remarks, Commissioner Stewart said:
“Thank you all very much for the welcome, and to the Governor’s Office for bringing me out. It has really been useful. It is nice to have seen the island and to have met a lot of people, including Commissioner Proctor and other police officers.
“I know I have a big task ahead of me and I am absolutely committed to doing that. What I want to do, first and foremost when I get here, is to get out among the community and to learn about the people and the culture and what they want from policing. That’s my number one task and I will take everything else from there in small steps.”
Mr. Proctor said he was pleased that a comfortable residence had already been found for Mrs. Stewart.
“I am happy that Amanda was able to come to Anguilla ahead of taking up the post, to see the island, and meet some people,” he commented. “Key for me is that we found a place that will be comfortable for her to stay, and we did that on the very first day [of her arrival]. I look forward to handing over the force to her when she comes in July, and to moving on.”
Mrs. Stewart will be accompanied in Anguilla by her husband, a former law enforcement officer.
