On Thursday, July 16, 2026, Antigua and Barbuda marked a key milestone for its law enforcement community with the passing out parade for the Royal Police Force’s 50th Recruit Training Course. During the official graduation ceremony, Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin delivered a keynote address that centered on the profound impact of everyday policing decisions and the critical responsibility that comes with serving the public.
Benjamin told the newly minted officers that every routine action they take – from responding to resident complaints to pulling over motorists during traffic stops and leading criminal probes – directly shapes how the public views and trusts the entire Royal Police Force. He emphasized that policing is far more than a routine role focused solely on enforcing national and local laws; instead, it requires consistent, respectful service to every member of the community, regardless of background. Every single interaction between an officer and a citizen, he noted, leaves a lasting impression that can either strengthen or erode public confidence over time.
“There are no shortcuts to delivering high-quality, ethical service to the Antiguan and Barbudan public,” Benjamin told the graduating class. “Every complaint demands thorough, professional investigation, conducted with unwavering respect for the rights and inherent dignity of every person involved.”
The Attorney General stressed that the legal authority new officers gain with their graduation comes hand-in-hand with profound personal and professional responsibility. “Today, you are not just leaving here with a certificate confirming you completed your training,” he said. “You are accepting a sacred public trust. From this day forward, you are the guardians of the law, the protectors of vulnerable community members, and the public face – the ambassadors – of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.”
Benjamin also pushed back against the idea that policing can be treated as a standard 9-to-5 occupation. “Policing is never just an eight-hour job,” he explained. “It is not a career for people who only watch the clock or count down to their next paycheck. It demands commitment beyond scheduled shifts.”
He encouraged the new recruits to cultivate consistent traits of dependability, courtesy, and calm resilience, even when facing high-stakes, volatile scenarios. The force, he argued, urgently needs officers who can retain their professional bearing and empathy when confronting adversity. “We need men and women who show up reliably, treat all people with courtesy and politeness, and remain sensitive to the needs of community members who are struggling,” Benjamin said. “We need people who can hold their composure and stay true to professional standards, even when the situation pushes them to their limits.”
Beyond addressing the graduating officers, Benjamin also issued a call to senior leadership and experienced personnel within the Royal Police Force, urging them to take an active role in mentoring the new recruits. He noted that experienced officers carry a formal responsibility to provide clear leadership and steady guidance as the new graduates transition from training to active frontline duty. “These new officers need your support and guidance to build successful, long careers in law enforcement,” he said. “It is your responsibility to lead by example and make sure they do not lose their way as they adjust to the realities of policing work.”
The ceremony itself capped off the 50th iteration of the force’s recruit training program, welcoming a cohort of new officers to fill active service roles across Antigua and Barbuda, and reinforcing the force’s ongoing commitment to upholding professional, public-centered policing.