The thirteen new recruits to the Royal Anguilla Police Force were welcomed to the island on Tuesday this week when they visited the House of Assembly as part of their familiarisation introduction to Government departments and offices.

Speaker of House, Mr. David Carty

Speaker of the House, the Hon. David Carty, called on Superintendent Carl Ruan who attended the passing out parade at the Regional Police Training School in Barbados on October 12 to introduce the officers to the Assembly Members. In doing so he gave their names and said some of them were already serving policemen in Dominica, Grenada and St. Vincent with the others coming from civilian life. He spoke of their training and reported that one of them, Randy Bishop, had won five awards and named Honour student for Anguilla.

Recruits from Dominica and Grenada, other serving officers from St. Vincent

Acting Chief Minister and Leader of Government Business, the Hon Victor Banks, welcomed the recruits to the island and thanked them for becoming members of the Anguilla Police Force. He said they had a very important task in the island’s national development and security of its people.

Government side of House of Assembly

“We look forward to you assisting us in that endeavour and bringing your skills to bear and making sure you do what is required in this process,” Mr. Banks told them. “We hope that you will become a part of the Anguillian community, you will enjoy yourselves here but at the same time …you will continue to work with us to ensure that all of us are secure.”

Opposition Members Hubert Hughes (standing) and Edison Baird

Senior Opposition Member, Hubert Hughes, joined in the welcome. “We talk a lot nowadays about one Caribbean and I think it is demonstrated here today in those who have just been appointed to the Anguilla Police Force.” He stated. “We come from a common heritage, common history, and we have common problems... I welcome you as members of the Anguilla Police Force and as such in your role as law-keepers in Anguilla and we expect that this is what you will do as you would do it in the places where you were born.”

Five Awards Winner, Randy Bishop

He hoped that in time Government would be able to build residential quarters for members of the Anguilla Police Force as the island was not a cheap place to live in, given the scarcity of, and therefore expensive, rental accommodation. He told them that there was a serious social problem in Anguilla, with young people having guns, and hoped they would do their duty well and that there would be no need for police officers outside the region to be brought to Anguilla.

The Speaker then introduced the members of the House following which he said to the police officers: “We are glad to see. We hope you will have a productive and fruitful affiliation with the Royal Anguilla Police Force and that you execute all your important duties without fear or favour and do your duty effectively.”

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