By Kisean Joseph
As the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) rolls out series of activities to celebrate its 56th anniversary, the Police Welfare Association (PWA) is sounding the alarm about the lack of proper uniforms for its officers.
This longstanding problem has come to a head, with the PWA leadership expressing deep concern over the impact on both officer morale and public perception.
Chairman of the PWA Corporal Marilyn Harris didn’t mince words when addressing the situation. “At this point in the force’s history, it seems that the powers that be cannot get things right,” Harris said, highlighting the association’s dissatisfaction with the current state of officer attire.
The uniform crisis has become so severe that PWA executives report feeling ashamed of the appearance of officers on the streets of St John’s. “If you look around St John’s and see our officers on a daily basis, you would be ashamed,” a PWA representative remarked, adding, “we are ashamed as well because that is part of leadership.”
The association argues that proper uniforms are not merely a matter of aesthetics but a fundamental aspect of policing since the officers represent not only themselves but also the nation, its people, and the entire RPFAB, therefore the PWA has taken action by penning a letter to the Minister of National Security, Sir Steadroy Benjamin.
According to Police Sergeant Bernita Lawrence, the PWA’s first vice chairman, public relations officer, and secretary, “uniforms have been a big, big issue in Antigua and Barbuda, and it continues from Commissioner down; we want it to change”.
Lawrence stressed that the letter aims to prompt the RPFAB’s hierarchy and administrators to “put in the hard work” necessary to ensure officers have proper uniforms for their daily duties. The PWA’s stance is clear: when officers interact with the public, they should look unmistakably like police officers, capable of standing firm in their role.
Adding to the situation is an apparent discrepancy in information regarding uniform procurement. The PWA referenced a statement made by Commissioner Rodney, claiming that officers must purchase their uniforms. This assertion has puzzled the association, as it contradicts the established requisition process they know to be in place.
“Police officers would send their requisitions to the relevant authorities, and the relevant authorities would send back the purchase order for us to gather our uniforms,” Lawrence explained, questioning the commissioner’s reported statement.
The uniform crisis is not a recent development. According to the PWA, it has been a persistent issue, dating back to the tenures of previous commissioners.
The association views this anniversary as a critical moment to address and resolve the problem once and for all as the force moves beyond its 56th year, the much-needed resolution of this uniform crisis may well set the tone for its future direction and public standing.
