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STATEMENT

BY

THE HON. WILMOUTH DANIEL

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

AND

MINISTER OF WORKS AND COMMUNICATIONS

August 12, 2004

I have already distanced myself from the statement in the Sun Newspaper with which the Police Welfare Association has taken issue.

I made that point when the Attorney General and I met with The Executive of the Police Welfare Association last night.

My job, like every police officer’s job, is to serve the public and to protect the people’s interests.

The position seems to be that unless I issue an apology for a Statement from which I have already repeatedly distanced myself, punitive action by the police can have the effect of placing public safety and security at increased risk.

If it takes a statement from me to protect the population from the risks that would result if threatened police sanctions were put into effect, I now extend the apology that the Police Welfare Association has been demanding.

Whatever comment was attributed to me was never intended to damage the image of the police force, with whom I have had very good relationships over the years.

I have never done and will never do anything designed to undermine the police force.

I hope that after this, all of us, who are responsible for the people’s welfare, will continue to work together to make our streets and homes and businesses safe for everyone in Antigua and Barbuda .

Press Statement

From

The Police Welfare Association

Delivered at the Prime Minister's Office, St. John's, Antigua

and

Narrated by

Sergeant Albert Wade

August 12, 2004

After more than ten days in the public domain, the Police Welfare Association is pleased to inform the nation that as a result of hours of deliberations with the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Attorney General there can now be closure to this unfortunate episode.

First, we want to make it known to the public that we are not insensitive to the concerns of the public and the Hon. Wilmoth Daniel’s concerns about his love one.  Indeed, we do empathize for the brutal attack on his family as we do understand the anguish of parents when their children sustain injuries.  However, this matter will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be brought to justice.

The Hon. Minister and the Police Welfare Association made certain statements to the media which can now be termed as unfortunate.  We are of the view that some of these statements may have been incorrectly reported or misconstrued by the press and the general public.

Therefore, I wish to assure and reassure the public that the association’s commitment to duty and our responsibility to the public are foremost.  We are deeply committed to the maintenance of Law and Order and the preservation and protection of life and property and at no time during this impasse have our members evaded their responsibilities.  And we have no doubt that the relationship which he enjoyed with the members of this association even before he became a government minister is now even stronger.

We wish to commend the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Attorney General for the role they played in resolving this matter.

We look forward to working together in the interest of our beloved country with a renewed determination for the reduction of crime and the curbing of lawlessness. (end)