This is the Royal Anguilla Police Force 49th anniversary and police week and unfortunately my last opportunity to participate in what is a great celebration of police and community.
As always I wish to thank all those on the Police Week Committees and Staff Association of the RAPF for their hard work and effort in putting together the program and in ensuring that sponsors and supporters are properly informed.
The relationship between the public and Police is paramount to keeping Anguilla safe. This year’s winning theme “A safer Anguilla when we all work together” could not be more fitting at this time of us all facing the global crisis of Covid—19.
We know we cannot be everywhere, policing by the consent and with the cooperation of the public is how crime is reduced. I have over these last five or more years tried very hard to build the trust and confidence the public need in their Police Force but never take for granted that trust and confidence relies on the Police Force delivering on its part of the bargain by reducing crime and working within its code of ethics so that people are given respect and treated fairly in accordance with the laws and constitution of Anguilla.
We always welcome the participation from all sectors at the various activities again demonstrating that the public continues to support the RAPF and the RAPF welcomes their support. I would like to thank all those who have helped bring this week into life and those who have given their time as well as the sponsorship we have received.
The theme also reinforces the way in which we now deliver policing, we have focused on serious crime reduction, developing our workforce, re allocating resources, professionalizing investigations, improving road safety and directed police activities. Performance is delivered by having staff who are properly briefed, making best use of intelligence and forensics opportunities all areas we will still need to focus on moving forward.
We work in an ever changing environment and the need to keep reviewing our performance must be part of the RAPF DNA. We start this year with the Introduction of a New Governor and Commissioner Of police and I wish them every success in promoting a safe Anguilla
We have always tried 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. The stronger our relationship the better our chances of keeping Anguilla safe and protecting its reputation as the safest Caribbean country.
When policing actions take place or incidents occur it can affect these different communities in different ways. As we progress this year we will continue to develop our Community Impact assessments as a way we can identify and respond to rises in any community tension because as we strive to reduce crime we know that the public must also have a willingness to make sacrifices for the changes that will have a positive impact on their children, family and friends. Ensuring crime remains low and reducing harm are of real importance to the economic well-being of Anguilla and we need people to come forward and we need to support them when they do so.
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. 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 behavior in Anguilla. Fighting crime is therefore a partnership in which all citizens and organizations in Anguilla must play an active role.
I do not 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 projects and investigations that we have carried out in recent times. Your continued assistance and support does go a long way in ensuring that offenders are brought to justice and that the incidents of crime are reduced.
I joined the RAPF with the commitment do everything in my power to make this force one of the best in this region. I have been greatly encouraged by the high level of enthusiasm displayed by many of the members of the RAPF since taking up duty as COP in late 2015. This organization will continue to commit itself to you the Anguillian community as we strive to uphold the values enshrined in our policing strategy while keeping Anguilla Safe for everyone who lives or chooses to visit this island of tranquility wrapped in blue.
God bless you all, the RAPF and God Bless Anguilla
Paul Morrison QPM Commissioner of the RAPF 20/1/21