New Commissioner of Police, Amanda Stewart, took the reins of leadership of the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) on 10th July 2015. Mrs Stewart was handed the proverbial baton by exiting Commissioner Daniel Rudolph Proctor who had a long and distinguished career, in the police force, spanning some thirty years – and who rose through each rank of the RAPF by hard work, dedication and meritorious service. The ceremonial handover was witnessed by Government officials, police officers and a cross-section of the community. As residents of Anguilla, we all thank the outgoing Commissioner for his sterling and worthwhile contribution to policing in Anguilla, and we welcome the new Commissioner to our shores. In doing so, I wish, on behalf of all Anguillians and residents of Anguilla, to offer a few words of advice to Commissioner Stewart.
Firstly, it is important that she makes every effort to build trust between the Anguillian people and the RAPF. Over time, the esteem and respect which Anguillians have had for police officers have eroded. Justified or not, this stems in part from a lack of trust in the capacity and confidentiality of police officers. It is imperative if Commissioner Stewart is to be successful in this new role, that she devises strategies to bridge the obvious divide between the police and the community. This may translate into more visible community partnerships and policing –and may require some housecleaning within the RAPF itself. It is our hope that whatever strategies are used that they will assist in breaking the silence that plagues our communities and has resulted in offenders continuing to walk our streets freely.
Secondly, Commissioner Stewart must seek to build capacity within the RAPF. I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by former Commissioner Proctor that our efforts to enhance the capacity of the RAPF should not focus on seeking external human resources – rather we should equip our officers with the tools they need in order to be more effective. My interpretation of Proctor’s sentiments is that these tools can be physical (eg. modern equipment to assist in solving crime) or intellectual: in the form of specialized training and professional development opportunities for officers. Indeed, I encourage Commissioner Stewart to invest heavily in training for officers in the RAPF. I am sure that, despite public criticism, there are many capable and conscientious officers in our police force. With the right exposure, training and development, they can easily function at a higher level and make more meaningful contributions to the work of the RAPF.
Thirdly, coupled with efforts towards improving community partnership and enhancing capacity, Commissioner Stewart must focus on making strides in relation to crime prevention and crime-solving. Our society is becoming increasingly alarmed by the criminal elements in our midst, the escalating levels of violence used when carrying out criminal acts and the disregard for human welfare. If Commissioner Stewart is to make a meaningful impact in our society, then we expect a no-nonsense approach to combating crime and protecting the public. I believe it is fair to say that this was the approach of former Commissioner Proctor, so we must admonish our new Commissioner to continue in this trend, build on the efforts that have gone before, and ensure that the RAPF has a robust stance and track record on crime reduction.
Lastly, while just assuming this position, Commissioner Stewart ought to give thought to what she wants to be her legacy – when she eventually hands over to another Commissioner – as this will guide her actions and decisions during her tenure. I would kindly suggest that this legacy should be that she left a more competent force than she met, and that she was able to handover the reins to one of our officers whom she molded and groomed to assume leadership. One of the marks of a great leader is not necessarily his or her personal accomplishments, but his or her ability to assist in the advancement of those whom he or she led without being threatened by that advancement. In other words, a great leader is not so much interested in self-preservation but in the advancement of the whole. It is my hope that this characteristic is one of the hallmarks of Commissioner Stewart’s leadership of the RAPF, and that her efforts will be tangibly reflected in the development of our officers.
I join with all residents of Anguilla in welcoming Commissioner Stewart to our shores and wish her a successful tenure, having taken her first salute, as Anguilla’s top cop.
