Members of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda are celebrating the 55 th
installment of Police Week, which Commissioner Atlee Rodney has described as
one of the strongest links with the community.
The Commissioner was speaking on Sunday morning, at the Swetes Wesleyan
Holiness Church, where members of the force joined worshipers for service as the
first activity of Police Week 2023, being held under the theme “With dignity and
Pride, we are working together with our community.”
“I am happy that our founding fathers had the vision and foresight to set aside a
period such as this so that we can come to say thank you in a special way. Police
week is a wonderful community policing tool that has created an avenue to build
stronger and closer relationships between the public and the police,” he stated.
He acknowledged that after more than a half-century, police week activities have
proven to be one of the stronger links between the police and the community.
However, he added, working together with the community is not without its
challenges.
“As the leader of this organization, I will acknowledge that we do not always get it
100 percent right. That is not to say we do not set out to do right. However,
circumstances and other factors along the way, sometimes determine a different
outcome. Nevertheless, we will remain resolute in our commitment to serving the
people of this nation with pride and dignity. Our successes are as a result of your
continued support,” he observed.
Commissioner Rodney is encouraging all his officers to remain focused and
steadfast in their commitment, as the force continues to rise above the adversities
that come with this noble profession so that in the years to come, our contribution
to this country will forever be etched in the annals of history as that of committed
and dedicated service despite the various challenges police face daily.
The activities of the week include; an Open Day exhibition at Police Headquarters
and later the skills competition among the fire stations, for the Malcolm Nicholas
Cup in St. John’s. These take place on Monday. On Wednesday, the Calypso
Monarch competition takes place at the Antigua Recreation Grounds, Friday is a
Cultural Food festival at the Rising Sun Grounds and Saturday night is the crowd-
favourite, the Theatrical presentation at ARG.
