DR. WEBSTER’S MESSAGE TO POLICE RECRUITS, PRISON OFFICERS “Avoid Brutality, Unfair Treatment”

In one of his first official engagements, since his Anguilla Progressive Movement became the island’s newly-elected Government, Premier Dr. Ellis Webster delivered a terse, but veiled, message to Police and Prison Officers. He told them: “Don’t be accused of police brutality or unfair prison treatment” – as one hears about in the United States.

He was at the time addressing an impressive passing out parade for the first Anguilla-trained batch of Police Recruits and Prison Officers who just completed a six-month period of training. The course was delivered at the Anguilla Police Recruit Training Centre, at Rey Hill, by the Commandant, Inspector Kenneth Millette, assisted by other instructors. The passing out parade for the eleven police recruits and seven prison officers, was held on Saturday, July 4, on the grounds of the Fair Play Commercial Centre in The Valley.

“It gives me much pleasure to be able to address you as you start on this new journey,” Dr. Webster told the combined graduating class. “Six months ago you were regular citizens. Now, you are imbued with this power per se. But I don’t want you to see it as having power. I want you to see it as service because the goal is to protect and serve. It is just like us [the APM Government] that we are put in service to represent the people. It is what you also have to do. But you have to do it with a certain level-headiness. Not because you may have a baton, or you may be given a gun, it does not mean that you are greater than anyone in the community. In fact, you are part of the community; and the goal is to make sure that you protect the citizens whom you are asked to serve.”

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Premier Dr. Webster continued: “These are the days when, if you look at the television or listen to the radio, you hear about incidences in the United States where there is concern about police brutality – and concerns in the prison systems where persons who are incarcerated are treated unfairly. These are things that we have to deal with in these times. In this calling, that you have been given, you are expected to care about those persons in your charge. I admonish you, I beseech you, I beg of you, that when you are put in that position – that you should think in the words of the Bible: ‘Do unto others as you will have them do unto you.’

“This may present hazardous conditions and situations at times where you may be called upon to use certain levels of force. Certainly, you are trained to do that, but do so in a manner in which you are protecting yourself and others and not with bad intentions.”

Prison Superintendent, Ms. Carice Sasso, described the passing out parade as a great occasion. “Your profession is a noble one,” she told the trained officers. “You must understand that you will be disliked by persons for what you represent. Do not take it personally. In order to survive this volatile environment, I suggest that each of you remain in tip top shape educationally, physically and emotionally. With this mentality, your philosophy should be tightly wrapped with a blanket of honesty and unrelenting integrity. While on duty, only do the things that you would do in front of your trainer. Prison Officers, as you have worked in the prison environment prior to embarking on this journey, you will bring experiences and talents that will ensure Her Majesty’s Prison will continue to develop and improve its ability to meet our mission. You will bring enthusiasm that will embody our hopes for the future.

“There will be inmates who will spend the majority of their time planning on how to destroy your intrinsic values. Do not fall for this type of unacceptable behaviour. Ironically, you may be placed in a position where you may have to protect these same inmates during their period of incarceration. You must understand clearly that our society expects a much higher standard of conduct from you because you are now the authority.”

The Superintendent of Prisons added: “Courage and fairness represent predominant characteristics of a grounded prison officer. You are expected to treat inmates, including their family members, lawyers, visitors and others, with respect while displaying courage in the performance of your duty.”

Governor Tim Foy OBE, commended the Police Recruits and Prison Officers for the high quality of their drill performance. He felt that he was back in the United Kingdom, at the Horse Guards Parade, watching the Trooping of the Colour.
He said the Police Recruits had stood the test of six rigorous months and had all come through with flying colour. “Your formal training has come to an end,” he went on. “Your period of informal learning now begins. You will learn from those around you. You will learn from your own dedicated studies. You will learn from the time that you take to position yourself for promotion within the Force. Let me remind you, in very much the same vein as the Premier said, that the police are the people and the people are the police. You are drawn from the community; you serve the community; you are given special powers by that community because you serve them – and I know that all of you will serve those around you well.”

Governor Foy further said: “My second thoughts are for those close to you who graduated today. Your families and friends have stood by you during this difficult and taxing time. They will need to stand by you for even longer as you embark upon a difficult career. So, to all the families and friends, I thank you for all you have done…..To all the police cadets [and prison officers], remember every day that you are wearing those uniforms because of the people around you; those who encouraged you to take up the pursuit; those who gave you the education; and those who will be supporting you throughout.

“My final thoughts are for the excellent training team that has been put together. I have seen Mr. Millette marching you [the trainees] up and down the place, ‘beasting’ you, as I would have called it if I was back in the UK. He has made men and women of you. He is a strong man; a man of great conviction and courage. He is a man who wants to serve; a man who wants to carry on and pass on his skills and expertise to you. He is a role model. A very great thanks to all the teachers who have been involved in every aspect of what has been an historic event.”

The Police Recruits and Prison Officers who won awards were: Kerole Lea-Hing, Delma Titre and Keithroy Connor, Best at Physical; Devon Larocque and Dannice Simmons, Best Drill; Samantha Tomlinson, Best at Multi-disciplinary Subjects; Samantha Tomlinson and Rushion Phillip Thomas, Highest Aggregate; Kasian Thompson, Best at Evidence; Curvis Marie, Class 1 and Joel Rodgers, Class 2, Baton of Honour respectively.

The graduating policemen and prison officers, as well as the members of the Police/Community Band, were inspected by Commissioner Paul Morrison, the Review Officer, accompanied by Inspector Millette.
The passing out parade was witnessed by a large gathering of officials of the Government, the Governor’s Office, family members of the Police Recruits, the Prison Officers and other members of the public.