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Police Force Could Become Police Service Under New Bill

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Police Force Could Become Police Service Under New Bill

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is set to transition from being styled a “Police Force” to a “Police Service” under proposed legislation scheduled for debate in Parliament on September 18.

The change is contained in the Police Bill, 2026, which the Government says will modernise the legal framework governing policing in the country.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin told Cabinet that the Bill will establish updated rules for the various departments within the police organisation and include provisions governing the handling of complaints.

The proposed name change is intended to reflect a modern, service-oriented approach to policing and relations with the public.

The Police Bill is one of six major pieces of legislation on the agenda for the upcoming sitting of the House of Representatives.

Cabinet said the reforms are intended to ensure that law-enforcement agencies operate under an appropriate contemporary legal framework and have the tools needed to protect the population.

Cory Wayland

About the author

Cory Wayland is the Social Media Co-ordinator at Antigua.News, where he manages digital content strategy, audience engagement, and real-time news publications across social platforms. With a keen eye for trending topics and a commitment to factual storytelling, Cory plays a key role in shaping the online voice of Antigua.News.

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Comments (5)

  • Juju Bee September 4, 2026, 9:10 PM

    Thia Bill really needs to change to fall in line with the times we live in

  • Anonymous September 4, 2026, 12:34 PM

    Comment * us not carefully that we saving up new wine in old bottles .

  • Anonymous September 3, 2026, 11:37 PM

    You know what makes good accountability?…. body cams.

  • Donna September 3, 2026, 8:34 PM

    I hope the new legislation have provision to change their uniform from the old colonial uniform they’re wearing—which I hate to see.

  • Just a say do better.. September 3, 2026, 8:31 PM

    I hope bodycams be mandatory for all and tasers and the know the law and stop operating like monkey see monkey do. More training to deescalate situations.

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