Minister Links National Security to Tourism, Investment and Prosperity

By Kisean Joseph

kisean.joseph@antiguaobserver.com

National Security Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin said national security underpins nearly every area of the country’s development, from tourism to investor confidence.

Sir Steadroy, who is also the country’s attorney general, was addressing graduates at last Thursday’s police academy graduation ceremony on behalf of the Prime Minister. He told the newly minted officers that public safety was the foundation on which the country’s prosperity depends.

“There can be no thriving democracy without the rule of law. There can be no sustainable economic growth without public safety. There can be no tourism flourishing, no investor confidence, no secure communities, and no lasting national prosperity unless our people feel safe,” Sir Steadroy said.

He said security was not merely a political matter, linking it directly to government spending across other sectors, including education and healthcare.

“Under the leadership of my Prime Minister, the government has consistently placed national security among its highest priorities because we recognise that every school we build in this country, every wall we construct, every clinic we improve, and every investment brought in to this country depends, police officers, on your ability to maintain peace, order, and stability,” he said.

Benjamin pointed to ongoing government investment in policing technology and inter-agency cooperation as evidence of this commitment, noting that the country was moving towards full CCTV coverage.

“We have supported specialised training in cybercrime investigations, financial crimes, forensics, criminal intelligence, and community policing. We have expanded the use of technology, including surveillance systems, and we are very much up with that. Very soon, we will be able to solve crime quite easily in this state because the whole nation shortly will be covered by cameras,” Benjamin said.

He added that government has strengthened intelligence sharing and collaboration between the police force, the Defence Force, the Immigration Department, Customs, and the Office of National Drug Control and Money Laundering Policy.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General charged the graduating officers to guard their integrity, warning that the trust placed in police officers by the public must be earned every day and never abused.

“It is integrity that transforms authority into legitimacy. It is integrity that inspires public confidence. It is integrity that distinguishes an honourable officer from one who merely wears a uniform,” Benjamin said.

He urged the new officers to place the wellbeing of citizens above personal interest, particularly in protecting women and children from violence and taking illegal firearms off the streets.

“Never allow my friends and personal interests to eclipse your public duty. Never allow temptation to erode your character. Never forget, I ask you, that every decision you make reflects not only upon yourself, but upon the entire police force that you represent from today,” he said.