I stand here in support of the Royal Anguilla Police Force for which I was an officer for 36 years.
I also support the Postal Service and the changes that have been made and the many services it now offers to the public.
I am here, because I am proud that the Royal Anguilla Police Force has been featured on the cover stamps in recognition of its 40th anniversary.
This to me demonstrates the importance of the Force and the pivotal role it played and continues to play in our society.
Let me commend the postal service as well for recognizing the hard work of our officers who sometimes have to go in harms way to protect the citizens.
Forty years is indeed a milestone for any institution, particularly the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
I remembered after the revolution, Anguilla was policed by officers from the London Metropolitan police Force with a few local officers among them.
In 1971, twenty-three applicants who were successful were interviewed by the Public Service Committee.
The Committee at the time comprised-Alwyn Hodge who was Chairman and the other members were Wilma Lake and Austin Rogers. Seventeen officers were chosen on September 27th, 1971.
On October 4th 1971, the first batch of officers began training at Forest Bay training school by officers from the United Kingdom. Mr Arthur Watson delivered the opening address.
December 3rd, 1971, Lt Colonel Claudius Mathias Roberts was recommended to be Anguilla’s first Chief of Police. Then within the same month- December 17th 1971-Mr Jospeh Norris Payne was recommended to be Deputy Chief of Police ASP.
December 31 1971, Elliot Richardson was given the established position of Sergeant of Police in the Anguilla Police Force.
January 7th, 1972, the administrative secretary Mr John Webster informed Lt Col-Roberts that he was Chief of Police designate in Anguilla.
Gretel Connor formerly LLoyld was appointed Secretary in the Anguilla Police Force on January 11th1972.
And on January 19th, 1972 Mr Donald Connor was appointed Corporal in the Anguilla Police Force.
January 21st, seventeen members of the Anguilla Police Force were sworn in by Magistrate H.L.M Oxley –CMG-OBE.
On January 28th 1972, the first recruits of the Anguilla Police Force passed out with Harold Vanterpool receiving the baton of honour.
In June 1972, I was enlisted in the Anguilla Police Force with five others. We received our training at the Regional Police Training Center-Christ Church Barbados.
December 1976, Lt Col Roberts retired as Chief of Police which led to the appointment of Mr Joseph N. Payne as Chief of Police.
In 1977 there was a dramatic change in the Force when officers from St Vincent were the first to be integrated in the organization.
Also during those times, The Force was housed in the building of the Old Valley Police station along with the post office, treasury and the court.
In the 80”s the Post office and Treasury were relocated allowing space for the traffic department and office space for senior officers. At the time Cable and Wireless exchange was housed at the old Valley police station.
July 24th 1985, the title of Chief of Police was changed to “Commissioner” of Police by Governor A T Baillie.
March 1990- Mr Payne retired as Anguilla’s first Commisioner of Police.
And May 30th 1990, the Police Force gained the prefix “ROYAL” hence becoming the Royal Anguilla Police Force. Of course this is just a bit of its history.
In 2008, I retired from the Force.
As you can I see, I’ve had the opportunity to witness the Force evolved from its infancy stage into a distinguished institution.
This would not have been possible without the leadership of the past Commissioners who have steered the ship in the rough seas.
The institution is now under the command of Commissioner Rudolph Proctor who I have had the distinct opportunity to work along side with during my years in the Force.
Commissioner Proctor now leads the force as it heads into another age-its 41st anniversary in January 2013.
But it is indeed a proud moment for us to recognize the 40th birthday of the Force.
Let me pay homage to the past Commissioners and officers as well as our fallen officers who have served the institution.
I now take this opportunity to salute the Commissioner as the Force celebrates its 40th birthday.
Happy Birthday and may the Force continue to grow from strength to strength. Well done!
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
