By Kisean Joseph
The head of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) said that domestic violence and poor conflict resolution skills are the main drivers behind an increase in crime across the nation, and has called for urgent community action to address the trend.
Speaking at the annual police press briefing yesterday, Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney revealed that domestic disputes were behind a significant portion of violent crimes and property damage reported in 2024, including several homicides accounting for the 12 murders in 2024.
“Many reports were related to domestic issues and a lack of conflict resolution skills,” Rodney said. “Once again, the police force is appealing to us as a community that we must address this trend and save our young lives.”
Rodney noted that while the country remains relatively safe when compared to its regional neighbours, the impact of domestic violence is evident across multiple categories of crime.

“A lot of the malicious damage comes from domestic disputes; a number of the wounding comes from domestic issues, and so with the homicide,” Rodney said, highlighting how domestic conflicts often escalate into more serious crimes.
The police chief drew stark comparisons with other Caribbean territories, noting that Turks and Caicos, with its population of just 40,000, recorded 40 murders in 2024. Other Eastern Caribbean states saw even higher numbers, with St Lucia reporting 77 homicides and St Vincent and the Grenadines 54.
“We do not want these numbers to come to Antigua,” Rodney said, though he stressed that even 12 homicides were “too much” for the nation.
The Commissioner called for a whole-of-society approach to addressing the issue, saying prevention requires more than just the action taken by law enforcement. “We have to be involved in mediating those situations before they escalate, and I think every single citizen, every government official, every private sector worker — all of us can play a role in reducing this conflict within our community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the RPFAB outlined several initiatives to combat the problem, including enhanced training for officers and improved response capabilities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers reported that 214 personnel received specialized local training in various disciplines in 2024, with dozens more participating in regional and international training programmes.
Infrastructural improvements are also underway to strengthen police presence in communities and renovation work continues on the St John’s Police Station, which officials say will improve access to police services in the capital city’s center.
“Antigua is a blessed country, and all of us have a role to maintain the tranquility, to maintain this peaceful environment so that all of us can strive together,” Rodney added, underscoring that addressing domestic violence requires community-wide commitment and cooperation with law enforcement.