Rodney says his call for a limited state of emergency was misunderstood

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Atlee Rodney

Commissioner Rodney Clarifies Call for Limited State of Emergency: Beyond Criminal Activities

In a press conference held yesterday, Commissioner of the Atless Rodney Police Force, Commissioner Rodney, addressed the public following the recent controversy surrounding his call for a limited state of emergency.

The commissioner clarified that the proposal was not solely aimed at addressing criminal activities but was intended to enhance the overall effectiveness of General Police Operations.

“There was a lot of misunderstanding as to the whole principle, and I think people saw it only from a criminal point of view,” Commissioner Rodney stated. “We were saying a limited state of emergency does not only apply to criminal activities but to General Police Operations as well.”

The commissioner highlighted the need for such measures in various situations, including man-made incidents, natural disasters, or specific events in an area requiring restricted movement.

He emphasized the importance of having legislative powers in place to respond promptly and effectively to crises.

“As a template, you can have an incident; it could be a man-made incident, a natural disaster, or something happening in an area that requires restricted movement,” Commissioner Rodney explained. “For instance, in the case of a tsunami or a plane crash, you might want to restrict access to the affected area exclusively for First Responders.”

He expressed concern that the initial call for a limited state of emergency had been misconstrued as an attempt to turn the country into a police state. “We were not trying to form a police state or turn Antiga into a crime state. It was about having the legislative framework to respond promptly to various crises,” Commissioner Rodney clarified.

Responding to questions about whether he still supports the recommendation, Commissioner Rodney stated, “I wouldn’t say I abandoned it. It’s something we can look at again. I believe there is merit to it, especially in the case of man-made or natural disasters where First Responders need to operate unhindered to be effective in addressing the problem.”

He emphasized the importance of having legislative power readily available, especially in the age of social media, where uncontrolled crowds can hinder First Responders’ efforts during disasters. Commissioner Rodney highlighted that having the legal authority to restrict access to disaster areas can prevent further complications and ensure swift assistance to victims.

While acknowledging the public debate and concerns, Commissioner Rodney concluded by stating that the intention was not to create a police state but to ensure the police force had the necessary tools to respond promptly and effectively in times of crisis.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. What a load of gobbledegook and balderdash from Police Commissioner Attlee Rodney. I just wish he would say what he means, and mean what he say!

    Can somebody translate?

    Is there a state of emergency? A limited one? Or none at all?

    Maybe an ABLP official can make sense of the Police Commissioners double-speak, because they understand nonsensical waffling, prattle and babble.

  2. That is really wrong coming from Commissioner Rodney, he should call his officer to do their job and start patrolling the roads in our country. Anyone can take a drive from Five Island to The Airport after midnight and you are lucky if you see a police officer on the road

  3. Is d most idiotic commissioner of police I meet…antigua do not have crime compare to other Caribbean countries no crime at all..little robbery little fighting is nothing…covid like it in his brain.

  4. This man has lost credibility long, long ago and the only reason he has this job is because ALP is in power. One of his very own told me the man is the DAWG’S puppet and that perhaps explains what he’s still there.
    Atlee Rodney, ALP kept us under a state of emergency to abuse our rights. Duh! Where the hell have you been. Evidently, you’re still out to lunch on one of your frequent trips.
    This man is on a long list of people who need to be canned forthwith.

  5. So many persons on the Police Force/Service and its they like they mostly work a 9 to 5 and those who work on the evenings or overnight shifts stay cooped up in the stations without a care in the world.

    They need to get out in thier numbers around the clock and make their presence felt which would aid in deterring criminal activity. Just imagine in this 2×4 country tickets for traffic offenses are only being issued in the day 😂what can go so? So much nonsense happening on the roads at nights why aren’t they out with their radars on our highways?

    No strategy applied to their stop and searches because they all gang up in one area rather than spred across the length and breadth of the country.

    just bullocks!!!

  6. Commish kudos on the great work last year. Even so, try and learn from the mistakes made and make this year even better. The patrols especially have been effective, hence you need to keep them up. Some added tech solutions would help, eg drones, and the use of smart cameras. Understandably the infrastructure first needs to be upgraded.

  7. Commish kudos on the great work last year. Even so, try and learn from the mistakes made and make this year even better. The patrols especially have been effective, hence you need to keep them up. Some added tech solutions would help, eg drones, and the use of smart cameras. Understandably the infrastructure first needs to be upgraded.

  8. You want to know what crime is?

    According to USA Today, 29-year-old Arthur Hector Fernandez III has been charged with sexually exploiting children in videos that allegedly showed seven male individuals assaulting toddlers at the Galleria Mall in Houston, Texas.

    The story goes in to say the gang rape videos were posted on the dark web

    Be blessed in that you folks don’t live in the worst non sharia country on the planet, america.

  9. THERE is no need for what he is recommending. ANTIGUA and BARBUDA already obeys Lawful orders in situations he described.

    Also, those folks talking about good job while people are being assaulted in their home, who are elderly, and crimes that are vicious and inherently dangerous which is constantly happening is truly blinded from reality.

    I pray one day the people realize they deserve better service but that will not be happening anytime soon. Too brained washed and ignorant.

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