Parliament Refers Three Key Bills to Select Committee for Further Review
St. John’s, Antigua – Three significant legislative proposals—the Fire and Rescue Services Bill 2025, the Forensic Services Bill 2025, and the Police Bill 2025—have been referred to a select committee of Parliament for further examination. Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin presented the bills in the House of Representatives, highlighting their critical role in modernizing emergency response, law enforcement, and forensic capabilities in Antigua and Barbuda.
Fire and Rescue Services Bill 2025
The Fire and Rescue Services Bill 2025 seeks to replace the outdated Fire Brigade Act 1954, which was enacted over seven decades ago. The Attorney General pointed out that the existing legislation contains provisions referencing antiquated firefighting techniques, such as the use of trolleys, which are no longer relevant in today’s context.
“This bill provides the necessary framework for the operations of the Fire and Rescue Services. Firefighters today play a vital role beyond just extinguishing fires—they respond to road accidents, conduct sea rescues, and provide emergency assistance alongside the Emergency Medical Services (EMS),” Benjamin explained.
To ensure comprehensive scrutiny, the bill has been assigned to a select committee composed of members from St. John’s Rural West, St. Philip’s South, All Saints West, St. John’s City East, and St. John’s City South, with the latter serving as the convenor. The committee is expected to submit its findings at the next parliamentary session.
Forensic Services Bill 2025
The Forensic Services Bill 2025 is another critical piece of legislation aimed at strengthening law enforcement capabilities. The bill proposes the establishment of a professional forensic services department, marking a historic step for Antigua and Barbuda, which will become the first country in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to formally enshrine forensic services into law.
“This bill is essential for modern criminal investigations,” Benjamin stated. “It will enable ballistic testing, forensic mapping, fingerprint and footprint lifting, and other investigative procedures crucial for solving crimes efficiently.”
The Attorney General emphasized that the select committee will allow for expert input and technical recommendations to enhance the bill before its final approval. The same parliamentary members assigned to review the Fire and Rescue Services Bill will also examine this legislation.
Police Bill 2025
The Police Bill 2025 aims to repeal and replace the Police Act of 1952, which has remained unchanged for 73 years. Benjamin underscored the need for modernization, citing advancements in policing methodologies and the evolving nature of crime.
“This bill enhances governance structures, clearly defines the roles of police officers, and introduces mechanisms for improved oversight, professional development, and welfare benefits,” he noted. “Additionally, it establishes a transparent and independent system for handling public complaints against police officers.”
Among its provisions, the bill proposes the regulation of modern policing equipment such as body cameras and the use of police dogs while ensuring officers receive adequate remuneration and retirement benefits. The bill also recommends renaming the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to the Antigua and Barbuda Police Service to reflect its evolving role in community policing.
As with the other two bills, the Police Bill 2025 will undergo review by the select committee before being brought back to Parliament for debate and approval. The committee, chaired by the member for St. John’s City South, includes representatives from both the government and opposition.
The select committee is expected to consult with stakeholders, including emergency service professionals, law enforcement personnel, and forensic experts, before presenting their recommendations. Parliament will review their findings at the next sitting, after which the bills may be further refined before being passed into law.
These legislative updates reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening national security, emergency response, and forensic science capabilities in Antigua and Barbuda.
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It seems like politicians believe that they know everything. They believe that they are professionals in every field of service.
Has any consultation taken place with the fire department to know what suits firefighters in today’s modern world. Has any consultation taken place with the men and women in the police service.
Sure Mr Minister you want to bring those agencies in line with international standards. Are you the expert in knowing what those agencies require.
Will you equipt the fire and rescue service with a sea vessel for sea rescue? Will they be dependent on the coast guard to effect a sea rescue?
Let’s look at the police service. It appears that you are on the way to create on and off duty police officers. I have no problem if that’s the technical expertise the politician use to come to the need for modernization. Will you therefore begin to pay police officers overtime? Will you pay them travelling allowance like immigration and ONDCP once they own a vehicle? Are you ready to face the wrath of the people when an emergency arises and police officers cannot be found.
It is sad that a senior attorney as you would dive into a dark place considering your size without first considering the repercussions.
While you may have referred this bill to a select committee it would have served you well to consult with the men and women whose lives you are trying to change. They are the ones in the kitchen. They are the ones feeling the heat. Politicians are not all knowing. Hope you are prepared for tomorrow.
This man cutie Benjamin is an old tired man, I bet he will leave out a lot of things making this fire service an anomaly, there will be fire police demonstration on the road in the future because of different legal interpretation problem and the constitution of the country or internal constitution of the fire department, the senior officials in the fire station are seeking power and not recognizing they don’t have a modern fire station infrastructure to hold conference etc. in other countries the main fire station is equip with conference center and medical paramedic department and its own gas station, that thing in town was a little colonial thing built in the early 1900’s to take care of the white properties in town, it’s so out dated, but these fire police chiefs see power ahead, to be decorated with all sort of colorful colonial insignia on their British uniforms, just like shiny things was shown to our ancestors .
I hope this will be a competent committee that will make a difference and bring about change
That video is too disturbing to watch… all police officers are not the law they are their to up hold the laws of the country. So whenever they found some one in the wrong they approach them with respect to the country. If it’s a life N dead case approach with serious caution….. LOOK AT that vedio. If it’s a parking violation. U put a ticket on the vehicle. You approach a person to lock him up.whats the charge,what the crime,.one say say to comply to the police for what.What the crime. I have a right to answer any one if they disrespecting me bc I say something to offended him. So bc u are POLICE that give you the right to do as u please no…WHEN we see the uniform of a police or army officers it say upholder of the law to served and protect..Mr PM. SOME of these POLICE Officers need a CHARACTER CHECK.