The Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF), known as the Anguilla Police Force until 1990, is the national police force of

Anguilla Anguilla is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Sa ...

, a

British Overseas Territory The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) or alternatively referred to as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are the fourteen dependent territory, territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom that, ...

in the

Caribbean The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...

History

The Anguilla Police Force was formed on 28 January 1990, after Anguilla separated from Saint Christopher and Nevis. It received the "Royal" prefix in 1990.

Structure

The Royal Anguilla Police Force is based in

The Valley, Anguilla The Valley is the Capital (political), capital of Anguilla, one of its fourteen Districts of Anguilla, districts, and the main town on the island. , it had a population of 3,269. History Historical landmarks The Valley has few examples of colonia ...

. From 2015, the force was led by Commissioner Paul C. Morrison, who transferred from

Sussex Police Sussex Police are the territorial police force responsible for policing in the whole of Sussex. Their jurisdiction covers the ceremonial counties of East Sussex and West Sussex. Their headquarters are in Malling House, Lewes, East Sussex. Hi ...

in England. From January 2021, the force was led by David Lynch, also from Sussex Police. And from May 2023, by Robert Muir Clark who came from the

Police Service of Northern Ireland The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI; ; Ulster-Scots: '), is the police service responsible for law enforcement and the prevention of crime within Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) after it ...

. As of December 2022, the RAPF had a strength of 111 officers.

Duties

The RAPF carries out police duties, keeping law and order on the islands.

Training

Recruits to the RAPF carry out training at ''RAPF Anguilla Recruit Training Center'' which includes: *Physical Training (PT) *Drill (marching) *Motor Vehicle Collisions The recruits wear a uniform similar to RAPF constables, but they wear a baseball cap in training, until they pass the training when they get their normal headdress. This training is carried out internally by RAPF officers.

Uniform

Like most police forces, the RAPF wear a uniform when on duty and different types for different duties.

Formal uniform

The formal uniform is for ceremonial, public duties and formal occasions (such as the arrival/departure of the Governor). This consists of:

Males

*Black tunic with closed collar, silver buttons and whistle on chain *Black trousers with silver piping *Black socks and black shoes *White

pith helmet The pith helmet, also known as the safari helmet, salacot, sola topee, sun helmet, topee, and topi is a lightweight cloth-covered helmet made of sholapith. The pith helmet originates from the Spanish Empire, Spanish military adaptation of the nat ...

with RAPF capbadge, chinstrap and spike in silver *White belt with central clasp Male officers with the rank of

inspector Inspector, also police inspector or inspector of police, is a police rank. The rank or position varies in seniority depending on the organization that uses it. Australia The rank of Inspector is present in all Australian police forces excep ...

and above, wear the tunic open at the collar, with a white shirt and black tie underneath. A

Sam Browne General (United Kingdom), General Sir Samuel James Browne, (3 October 1824 – 14 March 1901) was a British Indian Army cavalry officer, known best as the creator of the Sam Browne belt. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the most prest ...

belt in black is worn over the top and a

swagger stick A swagger stick is a short stick or Crop (implement), riding crop usually carried by a uniformed person as a symbol of authority. A swagger stick is shorter than a Walking stick, staff or Walking stick, cane, and is usually made from rattan. Its ...

is carried underneath the arm. Peaked caps are worn by senior officers and may replace the pith helmet for junior officers.

Females

*Black tunic with closed collar, silver buttons and whistle on chain *Black skirt with silver piping *Black socks and black shoes *White-topped bowler hats with RAPF capbadge *White belt with central clasp

Insignia

All ranks wear rank insignia on their tunics and medal ribbons are worn on the left of the tunic, with full-sized medals for parades.

Arms

When on certain parades, No.4 Lee Enfield rifles are carried by junior ranks, with senior officers carrying a police sword.

Everyday uniform

The everyday uniform is worn for when the formal or operations uniform is not suitable. It consists of:

Males

*White shirt, with silver buttons and whistle *Black trousers with silver piping *Black belt & shoes

Females

*White shirt, with silver buttons and whistle *Black skirt with silver piping and stockings *Black belt and shoes

Equipment

RAPF officers including the ones outsider and inside have a wide variety of equipment used for police purposes, such as patrol vehicles including Ford and

Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz (), commonly referred to simply as Mercedes and occasionally as Benz, is a German automotive brand that was founded in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG (a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Group, established in 2019) is based in Stuttgart, ...

History

Structure

Duties

Training

Uniform

Formal uniform

Males

Females

Insignia

Arms

Everyday uniform

Males

Females

Equipment

References

See also