Police Week 2005 commenced with all ranks of the Force attending a service at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church on Sunday, January 22, conducted by Assistant Priest, Reverend Menes Hodge.

The Police Community Band with others from St. Maarten

The activities, under the theme “Police and the Community the Right Mix for 2006”, have provided the usual time and opportunity for socialising between the lawmen and the public, but this time there is a considerable alertness with respect to law and order. This is a consequence of recent acts of violence involving the shooting and killing of Dwayne Connor and the wounding of Sheldon Brooks at North Valley on January 7; the shooting and wounding of two visitors by intruders at Rendezvous on January 10; and the drive-by shooting and wounding of Allison Carter at South Valley on January 21.

The St. Augustine’s Choir

It was a good service at St. Augustine’s with the Governor, Ministers of Government and the Resident Judge in attendance among a fairly large congregation. Officers of the Force participated in the service by reading passages of Scripture. In addition, the Police Community Band together with a Police Band from St. Maarten gave a number of renditions and provided the musical accompaniment for some of the congregational singing. St. Augustine’s Choir, known for its excellent singing, also performed during the service.

Official representatives at the Police Anniversary Service

After delivering his sermon, Reverend Hodge welcomed the Police and took the opportunity to comment briefly on the acts of violence on the island. He spoke in particular on the indiscriminate use of illegal firearms which have caused death and injury to persons.

A contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force

He referred to claims that the firearms are being purchased in St. Martin and wondered what was being done to stop the illegal importation into Anguilla. “Is there no vigilance at our ports of entry?” the former Customs Officer asked. “Will not people take stock of what is happening in Anguilla? No firearms are being made in Anguilla, yet they are being used. Somebody is not on the ball when it comes to the importation of firearms in Anguilla. I urge those responsible to take stock and please do what is right: correct what is going wrong in our society.”

The police service normally ends with a march past outside the church. This did not take place however due to inclement weather conditions.

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