Mr. Keithly Benjamin, CPM, LLB. (Hons) LEC has become the sixth Anguillian to head the Royal Anguilla Police Force. He officially assumed the appointment of Commissioner of Police at a handing over ceremony on the compound of Police Headquarters on February 27. That was the day that the outgoing Commissioner Mitchell Harrigan retired from the Force having reached the age of retirement.

Cross section of officials and others at the ceremony

The occasion was attended by a large number of invited guests comprising Government officials, Commissioners of Police from the Caribbean area and a wide cross-section of the Anguillian public.

Chairman of the proceedings, Superintendent Rudolph Proctor, praised Mr. Harrigan for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to Anguilla, the Police Force and his colleagues. He had similar commendation for Mr. Benjamin who, like his predecessor, had joined the Force over 20 years ago. In welcoming Commissioner Benjamin, Proctor said he had the leadership and management qualities needed to direct and administer the Force and protect the peace of the island.

In his farewell address, Mr. Harrigan impressed on the officers of the Force to continue to see themselves as the guardians of the island. “When you show determination to stamp out wrong doing, you will be supported by the majority of the community, but when you appear to be laidback the people will resent you,” he cautioned. He said he was leaving the Force at a time when the whole world seemed to be in turmoil with crime on the increase everywhere, including Anguilla, and he implored the officers to work hard to protect the island and to ensure their own development.

“This community is fast changing like everywhere else and in order for you to cope with the rapid changes and to be effective, you must be brave. This Force has no room for cowards,” he went on. “You must band yourselves together. The criminals are banding themselves to defeat you so you to have to do the same in order to achieve success. You are a good Police Force with good skills. Some may be better than others… The weaker ones must be able to draw from the strength of the stronger ones who must be prepared to lend support to the weaker ones.”

Mr. Harrigan was grateful to the Governor Peter Johnstone, the Government, his fellow officers of the Force and the public for their support as well as his family for their courage during the challenging times he experienced.

Commissioner Benjamin (centre) inspects police guard

Governor Peter Johnstone, who has responsibility for the Force, expressed gratitude to Mr. Harrigan for his long years of dedicated service and welcomed Mr. Benjamin as the new Commissioner. “Anguilla is fortunate in so far as one distinguished officer leaves – stage left, another steps forward stage right,” he said. “Keithly Benjamin takes up his appointment at an interesting time. Our Community Policing Contract is starting to get into gear; our five-year Strategic Plan is well underway to implementation and our Marine Branch will soon be back to operational effectiveness with the return of our boat Dolphin.

Commissioner Benjamin sworn in by Governor Johnstone

The Governor stated that he and Mr. Benjamin have had constructive and productive discussions about the way forward and the resources needed. “I am confident that the new Commissioner will take over his predecessor’s leadership role smoothly and benefit not only to the members of the Royal Anguilla Police Force but also, more importantly, to the benefit of the community whom we all serve. Mr. Benjamin, welcome.”

Mitchell Harrigan inspects police guard

Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming stated that Mr. Harrigan had served the people of Anguilla with distinction and handled the Force with courage, dedication and professionalism. He commended him for attracting young Anguillians to the Force and for the introduction of the Community Policing Initiative which he said had ushered in a new level of cooperation and understanding between the police and the citizens.

Mr. Fleming continued: “Mr. Harrigan’s success and that of the Royal Anguilla Police was hampered by Government’s inability to provide all of the human and physical resources required for their total efficiency and effectiveness. However, Mr. Harrigan and his team gave of their best at all times and remained true to the motto of the Force: ‘Committed to Serve.’ Mr. Harrigan, I wish to place on record the thanks and appreciation of the Government of Anguilla for a job well done. You have served your country well and we all owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Addressing the new Commissioner, the Chief Minister said in part: “On behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla and on my own behalf, I wish to congratulate Mr. Benjamin on his appointment and welcome you warmly. I do not intend to remind you, Sir, that that you are taking this high office at a time when Anguilla’s social development is almost in a state of crisis. This will create a serious challenge for you and your officers. I am confident though that you will respond with innovative measures so that Anguilla will remain a safe place for our residents and visitors. I pledge the full support of the Government in assisting you and your officers in the performance of your arduous duties.”

Commissioner Francis Forbes of the Jamaica Constabulary and President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of was among a number of other regional Police officials who spoke at the ceremony. He congratulated Mr. Harrigan for his service, saying he had done Anguilla well.

Mr. Forbes also commended Mr. Benjamin on his appointment. “Your promotion is well deserved. I hope you bring to this office a vision that includes modernisation and reform and that your Government will give you the full support required for success,” he remarked. “I hope that those you command will show loyalty and commitment in giving you their support. The people of this country deserve top class policing where every member of the Force sees his or herself as the people’s servant. When this is given, mutual respect will result and improved quality of life will be experienced by all.” He pledged the support of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police to Mr. Benjamin and the Royal Anguilla Police Force.

Mr. Mitchell Harrigan and Mr. Keithly Benjamin

Benjamin receives command of the Force from Harrigan

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