With his first participation in the Police Anniversary Week of Activities since being appointed Commissioner some four months ago, Mr. Paul Morrison has promised to ensure “a police service that respects and upholds the community it serves”. He said that correspondingly the police would thereby earn the “respect and confidence” of the community”.
Commissioner Morrison was at the time delivering his first radio broadcast on Monday, January 25, in connection with Police Week. Following is the main part of that address:
“This year’s theme, “Working with you, Working for You, Anguilla Community we are committed to you,” reinforces the RAPF’s position that it is ready and willing to work together in a cohesive way with the different communities of Anguilla. This is a pinnacle that every law enforcement organization should seek to achieve as it relates to the people that they serve. Yes, there must always be a sense of cohesion and togetherness as they serve. The stronger our relationship the better chances we have of keeping Anguilla safe and protecting its reputation as the safest Caribbean country.
“As I address you I find myself compelled to speak to you about community – its value and what it means.
“In my mind, community suggests a willingness to engage in all matters that affect the way which people live and interact with each other as they go along their way. Regardless of what our views maybe about community we will certainly all agree that community begins in the heart – with shared values and interests.
“Most people think of community as a place or setting, or village that they live in. Communities are much more than that. They are the very essence of how we live and socialize with others. The idea of “community” probably came about where people gathered around a common area for their mutual benefit.
“While communities can be as individual as their members, they are usually organized or built around a set of principles that allows the members to participate in the community.
Principles such as:
1. Access: the members must be able to access the community.
2. Communication: the members must be able to communicate with each other.
3. Presence: the members must have some sort of relationship with the other members (see themselves, and are seen, as a part of the community) shared values and interests.
4. Participation: the members must have some sort of involvement within the community.
“While different communities have different roles in society, they all share the same characteristics.
“An ancient Greek Philosopher once said, “Community was the willingness of the people to be involved in local politics. The ability to vote and shape the way their lives could be changed.”
“People must have a willingness to make sacrifices for change that will have a positive impact on their children, family and friends.
“Communities are no longer isolated. With internet and social media we have seen how quickly news and information can be shared and many people have virtual friendship groups bound by common interests. Travel has also become much easier now that it ever was. Consequently what we do here in Anguilla can affect others far off, and what happens far off can affect us similarly in the shortest possible time.
“The RAPF recognizes the importance of community and the valuable role it plays in the fight against crime and violence and anti-social behaviour in Anguilla. As we prepare for the formulation and production of a Policing Plan, we sought the input and assistance of the public through a number of public consultations in November of last year. The public who participated raised some very important issues and suggestions as the way forward and what the community expects of us. But shared values of trust, public first are resounding themes.
“We cannot underestimate the importance of the involvement of community in policing our country. The police are not everywhere and therefore we are almost never witnesses to a crime, and invariably we are not the first to arrive on the scene after a crime has been committed – as a result we often rely heavily on the community we serve to assist us with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the alleged offender thereby ensuring the wider safety of the community and Anguilla.
“At this time, I would like to commend those members of the community who continue to partner with us on the various project and investigations that we have carried out in recent times. Your continued assistance and support do go a long way in ensuring that offenders are brought to justice and that the incidents of crime are reduced.
“Our commitment to you will certainly be clearly outlined in our Policing Plan when completed and published. You will have it to always ensure that we are doing that which we have committed to doing, and when we have fallen short you will have something to refer to when bringing us to bear.
“The RAPF is on a journey of building capacity and resilience. With these as our cornerstones we will no doubt be able to provide you with the type of police service you deserve – a police service that respects and upholds the community it serves thereby earning its respect and confidence.
“If I may say, I joined the RAPF with the commitment to do everything in my power to make this force one of the best in this region. I have already recognized that there are several officers who are ready to realize this goal and others, no doubt, will need some encouragement. But I am encouraged by the high level of enthusiasm displayed by many of the members of the RAPF since taking up duty as COP. This organization will continue to commit itself to you, the Anguillian community, as we continue to Keep AXA Safe.”
