THE HONOURABLE BALDWIN SPENCER

PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY

NATIONAL ADDRESS

ON DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ROYAL POLICE FORCE

OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

  Sunday, May 22, 2005 

Fellow Citizens; Residents and Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

In my capacity as Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, and in discharge of the Constitutional authority vested in my office, I have initiated a number of critical changes in the High Command of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

This development is consistent with concerns for public peace, justice and security and with contingent perspectives for the Police Service, which I outlined at the Police Graduation Ceremony, ten days ago.

Among the concerns I raised on that occasion was the escalation of crime around the region, the endemic problem of drug trafficking, and the threat of terrorism.

These were key concerns at the Meeting of the Regional Security system in Trinidad on the two days immediately prior to the graduation ceremony.

I stressed, then, that no country is immune to these threats, and that few societies are insulated from the escalation of crimes of violence involving young people.

I expressed alarm that our society has been experiencing the frightening phenomenon of young persons going to public entertainment events armed with dangerous weapons.

We had tragic examples of this at last year’s Carnival celebrations.

On this point, I underscored the fact that we look to our Police Force for proactive strategies in advance of this year’s Carnival.

This has particular relevance for other units of our security services, since Carnival brings heightened need for vigilance against potential security threats from narcotics traffickers.

To compound these problems, we have to cope with the continuing wave of criminal deportees from the United States; and from the United Kingdom.

Some of these deportees, together with notorious narcotics networks, might well be recruited by other elements in the country with nefarious motives.

I charged our Police officers to work untiringly to transform the Police Force into an institution deserving of the respect, admiration and trust of our nation’s youth, and of all others in our society.

I called on the Police graduates, and on all members of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, to invest in building trust and establishing constructive, collaborative community policing relationships with everyone and every agency and organisation in the society.

I acknowledged that this counsel would only work if the Police high command is committed to community oriented and problem solving policing.

I expressed the view that intensified Community Policing as a philosophy, as a management style, as an organizational strategy for pro-active problem solving, and for police-community partnerships in dealing with the causes of crime and in detecting and prosecuting crime, could swiftly turn out to be a productive investment.

One of my key observations was the need for police involvement with young people in their communities as counselors, coaches and confidantes, as a pre-emptive strategy for dealing with youth involvement in gangs.

In calling upon the Police force to move to new levels of effectiveness, I gave the assurance that I would do everything within my competence to rapidly reduce, and to ultimately eliminate, the handicaps that continue to affect our police officers:

I envisage:

•     Increased troop strength
•     Better accommodation
•     Up-to-date equipment
•     New technologies
•     Extensive training
•     Expanded benefits
•     Better pay

The Government has not only been talking about such things.

Within the limited financial resources available, we have set aside increased funding to meet the urgent needs I identified.

Sixty police officers have already completed training courses in information technology.

All police precincts are to be computerised, and Online, by Mid July.

We are evaluating the CRIMEX, the Crime Intervention Information Management computer software package, which vastly expands and speeds up police capabilities.

CRIMEX is cutting-edge technology that can revolutionise crime fighting in Antigua and Barbuda; as it has in other jurisdictions.

Fellow Citizens; Residents and Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

On January, 5th, when I confirmed changes in the make up of the Cabinet, I reminded you that in my New Year’s Message, I had recognised the nation’s concern at the seemingly slow pace of the justice process in a number of high profile matters.

This led me to stress the need to buttress the Executive arm of the justice system.

The establishment of the Ministry of Justice was a direct outcome of that concern.

In announcing the restructuring at the Cabinet level, I confirmed that redeployment of senior public officers and long overdue transformation of the entire public service apparatus would follow.

The changes in the Police high command, which I now confirm, are to be seen within this framework:

• With immediate effect, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delano Christopher, is to act in the position of Commissioner of Police.
• Also taking immediate effect will be the appointments of Davidson Whyte as Acting Deputy Commissioner; and Albert Smith as Acting Deputy Commissioner.
• Acting Commissioner of Police, Rolston Pompey and Deputy Commissioner of Police, James Hill, have proceeded on accumulated leave.
• This will be for ninety days, in the first instance.
• Other Police officers, some with accrued leave in excess of eight months, will also proceed on leave forthwith.
  

Fellow Citizens; Residents and Friends of Antigua and Barbuda:

I give you the assurance that public peace, justice and security are in safe hands; and will be strengthened.

Other measures to improve the delivery of public services and to enhance the welfare of the Antiguan and Barbudan people will be a continuing process.

I will report to you on all significant developments as we proceed. 

Thank you.

May God bless you all and keep you safe.

May God bless our beloved Antigua and Barbuda.