Cabinet Colleagues;

Commissioner of Police,

Ms. Delano Christopher;

Deputy Commissioners of Police,

Assistant Commissioners of Police;

Other Officers of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda; Dignitaries;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I bring you warm greetings and best wishes from the Honourable Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who unfortunately is out of the country attending the 25th Anniversary Independence celebrations of our country with our brothers and sisters in Vancouver Canada.

The Honourable Prime Minister has asked me to convey to you his and the government's greatest appreciation for the hard work and dedication that so many of the officers of the Royal Police Force have become known for.

I too would like to extend my personal and highest regards for the officers of the force who on a daily basis risk their lives to protect the citizens of this country of ours. I must also say that it is a particular pleasure for me to be here with you this evening, because I know that I am among friends.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You know that I am not a lengthy talker, so I am committed not to turn this very dignified event into a ceremony of lengthy speeches and taxing comments.

This evening I come with a very simple but highly important message. The message is for officers of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to be proud.

Be proud to know that you serve in one of the finest institutions in this country.

Be proud to know that you work among men and women who hold this country of ours dear.

Be proud to know that the people and government of Antigua and Barbuda share the pride that you express in the theme in which you affirm to serve together with devotion and pride.

Be proud to know that you work in an enviable profession, because as Albert Einstein puts it, the high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule.

I salute you this evening for being noble men and women of this country; whether you are Antiguan and Barbudan by birth or by choice.

I applaud the visible devotion of our police officers in discharge of their duty to protect and serve all in Antigua and Barbuda.

I commend Commissioner Christopher and her team and all the men and women under their command for their increased and notably effective efforts in protecting the people and in making sure that we enjoy peace and security.

Very often, the failures of the police always take precedence in the news over the many successes that you enjoy.

That is why this evening, I am proud to salute Number 488 Corporal Lester Bagot for going beyond the call of duty when on September 21st, he single handedly extinguished a fire at the Antigua State College where he is a student. His bravery and action resulted in little damage being done to the building. I say to you - be proud!

I also call on you this evening to salute Number 487 Corporal George Dover for successfully disarming a man armed with a cutlass onboard an aircraft. His actions that day saved lives and the reputation of our good country. I say to you once again be proud.

We are also called upon to salute Number 163 Corporal Carver Wilson for his quick action in apprehending a man drenched in blood, who was later discovered to be a suspect in a murder minutes before being apprehended. I say to you….be proud!

This evening we also salute Number 38 Constable Julia Phillip and Number 461 Constable Claudette Farrell for their quick response and capturing a burglar in the act in Gambles in March of this year. I say….Be Proud!

I could name numerous other acts of bravery and exemplary work, but the night is fast passing.

I however say to you, when one officer does a good deed, all of you should be proud because he is one of you.

In recognition of your good work, the government pledges to continue to ensure that you not only receive just recognition, but also that you receive the rewards to which your are entitled.

Those rewards will be together with improved accommodation and facilities, superior equipment and technology, and extensive training.

Already there are a number of officers who are involved in an extensive training programme under the guidance of experts sent to Antigua and Barbuda by the government of Turkey. There will be many more training sessions in the future designed to improve the service which you offer to the public.

I give you that commitment.

The government thanks every officer in this room for your proud and devoted service to our country and the culture of dedication, endeavour and pride that you are shaping by example, as well as by principle.

In closing, I wish to urge you to form strong alliances with the members of the public in the execution of your duty. Partnership with the people whom you serve will result in a drastic reduction in crime and violence and the saving of lives.

With the public's support and cooperation, we will have many more efforts of bravery by persons like Hilare Hosea of Willikies who saved the lives of two individuals who would have been consumed by a fire in Glanvilles on September 14.

I salute Commissioner of Police Christopher.

I salute the other members of the Police High Command

I again salute all other officers here, this evening and on or off duty elsewhere. You are serving our country well.

May God bless every one of you and your loved ones.

May God Bless our Nation Antigua and Barbuda.

Thank you.