Thirteen officers of the Royal Anguilla Force were awarded with Long Service Medals presented by Lord Ahmad and His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Tim Foy, on Monday, May 28, at Government House.
The recipients of Citations and Medals were: Sergeant Kevin Edwards; Constables Jermaine Fleming, Carlos Charles, Sherrie Brookes, Sergeant Vydia Charles and Ralph Johnson; Sergeant Shamella Vanterpool Duke; Sergeant Randy Jovois; Detective Inspector Haslyn Paterson; Inspectors Randolph Yearwood and Sylvia Hodge; and Constables Leroy Rouse and Mark Headley.
Governor Foy, who has responsibility for the Police, thanked the award-winning officers for their service to what he thought was “one of the best police forces in the Caribbean”, and he recognised their families who he said were also part of the police service.
“The second thing is to commend, what I have seen in my nine months here, the transformation of the Royal Anguilla Police Force,” he continued. “The quality and presentation that we see at public events is magnificent but there are things which, may be, we are not seeing and immediately recognise about the transformation of the police service. What we are seeing now is a public in Anguilla that has more confidence and trust in its police force than any time in the past. That is testimony to the work of the Commissioner and also to all the officers who have really thrown themselves in to be a force that protects and provides service. I want to commend the Commissioner and the police for that amazing transformation that is going on.
“I certainly respect the officers who are on duty here today. I hope to have more of these functions in the future; and we will certainly be thanking our long-serving Prison Officers at the Queen’s Birthday Party in a couple of weeks. Thanks very much for all the RAPF is doing to make Anguilla safe for Anguillians and for tourists, the fundamental backbone of our community.”
Lord Ahmad said it was a glorious evening for the thirteen celebrated officers who epitomised the best of public service. “Whether you are in Government or any public sphere, the ultimate and primary responsibility of anyone in public life is to keep the citizens of your country both safe and secure,” he stated. “That’s what these thirteen individuals have done for over eighteen years individually – and there is over two hundred years of collective experience here. Those thirteen individuals have epitomised the best of Anguilla and that is what makes us all proud of the service and duty they fulfil – putting themselves in front of others to ensure everyone in Anguilla stays safe and secure.”
Lord Ahmad added: “Please join me, once again, in saluting their service; their bravery; their courage; and their service to the great island of Anguilla.”
Commissioner Paul Morrison replied: “As Commissioner, I have been extremely privileged to have been given an opportunity to work in Anguilla as the lead officer for the Royal Anguilla Police Force. That pleasure has been derived from the enthusiasm and commitment I see every day from officers with six months’ service to those officers now totalling 200 years’ service. Those officers, with 30 years’ service and above, have completely embraced a new and different way of approaching policing. That has taken courage and a great deal of commitment by them, as individuals, to see that through.”
Mr. Morrison said policing was a job like no other with no two days the same. “Often the officers are putting themselves in harm’s way and are dealing with some of the most difficult situations because, when the police are called in, it is normally when things have gone wrong,” he said. “People are in a bad place; they need support and help. Our police force has spent a long time investing in, and training, officers to deal better with the victims of crime, the suspects and defendants, so that we can achieve better outcomes at court.”
The Commissioner reported that the majority of the 28 record cases at the recent High Court sitting had been convictions with guilty pleas. He stressed, that was because of a significant investment in the primary objective of the police to reduce serious crimes facing Anguilla and associated with the use of firearms and other weapons.
The Commissioner added: “This ceremony is a testimony to those officers. It is a testimony to the families that supported them throughout their service and the sheer fact that every day they come to work and are committed to doing their duties. I am very humbled by that, and that is why it is a huge pleasure for me to work for the Royal Anguilla Police Force.”
