Former Assistant Commissioner Says Police Commissioner Lacks Courage, Calls Force ‘Non-Functional’
Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Nuffield Burnett has delivered a blistering critique of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, describing it as “non-functional” and led by a commissioner who “doesn’t have anything named courage.”
Burnett made the remarks during the United Progressive Party’s Vehicle Gate town hall meeting, where a panel of former civil servants, attorneys, and political figures discussed the alleged multimillion-dollar government vehicle scandal. Speaking candidly, Burnett said the police force has reached its lowest point in history, plagued by weak leadership and a lack of integrity.
He said the Royal Police Force “is in the worst state at present that it has ever been,” adding that “notwithstanding that in recent times we would have heard and seen a lot of officers being successful in their studies and getting good grades,” the organization’s condition has deteriorated. “Acquiring degrees—this is the worst we have seen the Royal Police Force. There is the head of the constabulary who doesn’t have anything named courage,” Burnett said.
He told the audience that courage, not credentials, defines effective policing. “In these institutions, you must have a measure of courage,” he said. “It’s not about all these degrees and scholarships, as the prime minister has been telling us about. You must have courage and integrity about you. You cannot do a good job without those in place.”
Burnett argued that the police administration must first “get its act together” before it can properly fulfill its mandate under the law. He insisted that every police officer has a legal and moral duty to investigate crimes once they become aware of an offense, regardless of who is involved.
He added that “once you get wind of an offense or a crime, it’s your responsibility to investigate.” However, he noted that some investigations cannot be carried out without government support. Referring to the vehicle scandal, he said police would need that support, which is why the Director of Public Prosecutions should take the lead.
Burnett also reminded the audience that the term “alleged” simply means “not yet proven in a court of law.” He warned that the failure of the police hierarchy to act decisively erodes public confidence and undermines the rule of law.
He concluded that the force must “get its act together, get some fortitude, and go do their job—the job they are mandated to do by law,” adding that courage and integrity are what Antigua and Barbuda need most “starting with those entrusted to uphold its laws.”
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How dem does find dem voice so after dem left, the foassse in this instant?
EXACTLY!!! He might a go take a bath and shave that nasty beard!
Jeffers!!!! Look here a second…….. Nuffield is jealous and thinks ur an idiot? I think lowkey Pompey feels the same way……What do u have to say???
Doh care wa dis man hav to say, member he was compromised by da late MP. All da coruption dat tek place under UPP and Burnette never mek a single arrest. FOH just go write books dat nobody go ever read
I agree somewhat. I would have agreed 100 % but he forgot to say that the police force has majority of incompetent, non educated dunce elements officers up at the force and alot of them are criminals themselves; murderers, thieves and rapist. The government need to let some of them exit the force, this what our tax monies go to? U can’t even ask them for a badge number else they threaten to arrest u. The entire force sick my stomach and it’s not me alone. Since when it’s ok for police to behave like normal citizens? They don’t understand upholding standard means
Mr. Burnett, please go back to farming and animal husbandry and leave the acting Commissioner and the hard working, dedicated members of the RPFAB alone. Other than visiting the FBI headquarters in Quantici Virginia, what did you contribute or accomplish during your tenure? You terrorized Grays Farm young men religiously, fired shots from the top of the road by cancer palace after a young man running away from you. You beat up how many people and falsely arrest countless others. Do God bless you, go crawl back under the rock they pulled you from and stop trying to be relevant. Congratulations to all the officers getting degrees, hard working will pay off!
NUFField really NUFF fu true. Acting like a “Monday Morning Quarterback”
Careful mosquitoes not hiding out in his beard jack.
@ Tuth be told…if indeed there is a God there is no way he can bless anyone of the ilk of Burnett. This man kicked down a man on the steps when magistrate court was on Nevis Street and to date the man cant walk properly. Which God can bless people of this kind? The call should be for this man to repent of his sins and for God to so forgive.
The man is 100% correct. The PC is terrified of the foreign criminals.
When something officers in the force, they heard of bad things happening and they keep quiet but as soon as they leave the force they behave like the Angel Gabriel they will join a political party and start to preach what the party want to hear. If the force is not all that right, what did you do to correct the ills in the force. Nothing
he is a hypocrite!!!! I guess everything was nice and perfect under his leadership in the Force
The man is right..like him or not, the man is correct.
He better confess on his part in the IHI investigation or lack thereof! Jeffers born ya! Leave the man alone and that goes for Pompey old rass too! Aryou sick dog tummuck! Accept that Wade nar get Commissioner because he is a tyrant, and the government doesn’t favour him, Louisa is no better, she is just a junior version of him and nobody ever good enough for her except those in her inner cicrcle. Allow the man to do his job, encourage the members and stop the frigging smear campaign. Good thing Gassy Dread know all of you have your agendas. Oh and Ras Gassy Dread, please to take the police under your ministry and away from the honourable Sir!
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