Commissioner of Police Paul Morrison.
ANGUILLA--Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) Paul Morrison speaking at the beginning of Police Week spoke to the theme “Strategizing our approach demonstrating resilience in times of adversity.
” He said the theme is drawn from the experiences of Hurricane Irma and the need to build a resilient Police Force. He said that although this year there is no gala dinner or vehicle raffle, Police Week still has many activities. He urged the public to support these and thanked the officers who organised them.
“The theme reinforces the way in which we now deliver policing: we have focused on serious crime reduction, developing our workforce, re-allocating resources, professionalising 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 have focused upon over the last period,” he said.
The Commissioner stressed the importance of the relationship between the public and the police, saying that the police have worked hard to build the trust and confidence of the public. “Fighting crime is a partnership in which all citizens and organisations in Anguilla must play an active role,” he noted. The police are not everywhere and therefore they rely heavily on the community to assist with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of an offender.
The Policing Plan was influenced through public consultations, Morrison noted, with key messages from the public on building trust and confidentiality. “We have gone a long way with many new initiatives to deliver on these messages: family liaison officers, witness protection, professionalising investigations, improved forensics and child safeguarding all have been delivered.
“I am encouraged by the high level of enthusiasm displayed by many of the members of the RAPF since taking up duty as Commissioner in late 2015. This organisation 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 [in – Ed.] or chooses to visit this island of tranquillity wrapped in blue,” he concluded.
