Royal Police Force
of Antigua and Barbuda
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The Royal Police Force of Antigua was first established on 27th February, 1967 under the motto: Fidelitas et Devinctus”, the Latin for, “Fidelity and Devotion.” After the nation became an independent state on the November 1,1981. This came about as a result of the constitutional advancement of the Leeward Islands at the time.
The roots of the Force date back as far as 1623, when Sir Thomas Warner, a British Colonizer started a settlement on the island and later introduced a system of policing that was being operated in England. This was the “Night Watch” system where each property owner was required to provide in turn a night watchman in the village or town where they resided.
The birth of the federation of the Leeward Islands in 1871 saw a uniting of the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, Dominica, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands. However, it wasn’t until 1874 that the Forces became federated and named the Leeward Islands Police Force. Mr. Shordiche, who had been appointed Coordinating Officer of the Leeward Islands Police Forces, was made Commanding Officer.
Inspector Edward Peter Bell, who had been a member of the Irish Constabulary, had joined the Leeward Islands Police Force at the rank of Sergeant in 1899. He later relieved Mr. Learmonth as head of the Force in 1907. The tittle of Inspector General was then changed to Chief Inspector. Mr. Bell published the “Leeward Islands Police Regulations” in 1902 and the “Police Revised Standing Orders” in 1934.
The emergence of the new came at a time when suitable nationals were reluctant to join the police force. By this time, recruitment qualification catered for much more than a strong or robust physique. An applicant at that time had to be:
Recruitment training which was conducted locally, was at that point, done at the Regional Training Center in Barbados and catered for recruits from the Leeward Islands Forces; Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. The period of training was six months.
Superintendent Blaize was faced with a difficult task in building his new Police Force. With limited manpower, good communication would be an asset and the recognition of this saw the introduction of a telecommunication system in the Force.
The acuteness of manpower situation led to the recruitment of several Barbadian, who were trained at the Regional Center and sent to Montserrat in 1961. However, it was a significant step, being the first type of recruitment known to the Leeward group of islands and was to emerge as the dominant principle in the future.
Superintendent Blaize was faced with a difficult task in building his new Police Force. With limited manpower, good communication would be an asset and the recognition of this saw the introduction of a telecommunication system in the Force.
Although Byron’s position with the Force was short lived, it was during his tenure that the first contingent or overseas recruits (from Guyana), were drafted in 1968. It was a unique occasion because Antigua had by then, established its own Training School. Mr. Byron retired that same year, making way for Mervin Barrow, a serving member of the Guyana Police Force to take over command.
The syllabus for training was prepared by Assistant Superintendent Wright F. George, the first Commander of the local training at Langfords. Other changes took place between 1968 and 1983. Barrow was later replaced by S.J. Brookes as Chief of Police in 1971 and Brookes was succeeded by Wright F. George in 1974, when the title of Chief of Police was changed to Commissioner of Police.
Wright F. George retired in June of 1990; having severed for 39 years. He joined the Constabulary June 9th, 1951 and served as Commissioner of Police for 16 years. He was awarded Knighthood by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda during the 2016 Independence celebrations.
On his 85th birthday on November 18th 2015, the Police Administration renamed then Langfords Police Training School to Sir Wright F. George Police Academy in his honour. This was renaming initiative was spearheaded by former Commissioner of Police, Wendell Robinson.
Police Headquarters
American Road
St. John’s, Antigua W.I
Tel: +1 (268) 462-0125
Email: cop@ab.gov.ag
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Photo: Atlee P Rodney, Commissioner of Police
Photo: Attorney General Honorable Stedroy ‘Cutie’ Benjamin (left) Atlee P. Rodney (Right)
Photo: His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General (right) Atlee P. Rodney (left)
Mr. Atlee Patrick Rodney is the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda. He was enlisted in the organization on 15th October, 1982. On 25th November, 2019 he was appointed to the rank of Commissioner of Police. With forty (40) years of service, he brings to this position a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Commissioner Rodney before joining the Police Force worked as a Primary School teacher at the Savanne Paille Primary School. Subsequently after his enlistment into the organization, used his wealth of knowledge to propel himself through the ranks. He worked in several Divisions/Departments including Special Patrol Group, Narcotics, Out Stations, Criminal Investigation, Police Training School where he was the Chief Instructor, Human Resource and the Staff Office. He was seconded to the Regional Security Services (RSS) and worked as the Staff Officer there.
During his policing career, Commissioner Rodney attended several notable courses to include Hostage Negotiations, RSS Instructors Manuel Development for Recruit Syllabus, First Management of Project on International Cooperation, RSS Staff & Command, CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit Annual training and Executive Leadership. He also attended the 26th Annual General Meeting of Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police, Seminar on Emerging Communication Network for Developing Countries, Police Management, Intelligence Gathering and Analysis from Governments and other Institution in the Caribbean and Central America.
He pursued studies and was awarded his Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from the University of Valle de Puebla in Mexico on February 18, 2011. In the year 2019, Commissioner Rodney was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for his contributions to National and Regional Security in the Caribbean Region on April 5 2018.
