Security Forces Lean on AUA Donation During CHOGM

Security forces guarding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting are relying on computers and search mirrors donated by the American University of Antigua.

The university handed over computers, printers, whiteboards and flip charts to the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) and the CHOGM Security Planning Team, along with two under-vehicle inspection mirrors for the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB). Both forces say the items went straight into service as delegates arrived for the summit, which runs until 4 November.

Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier General Telbert Benjamin said the office equipment now supports the operation centres coordinating security across local, regional and international forces.

“Those are being used as part of our coordinated effort to ensure that information is disseminated across all agencies, across all entities engaged in CHOGM, as well as across the ABDF,” he said.

For the police, the two mirrors have filled a practical gap. Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers said the force has two explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams and invited teams from overseas to assist during the summit. Some of the visiting teams arrived without mirrors of their own.

“Those came in so handy that we were able to lend them ours so that the process can be smoothly done without wasting time,” Jeffers said.

The mirrors, fitted with telescoping handles, went to the RPFAB’s EOD Search Team. They let officers inspect the underside of vehicles for suspicious items without crawling beneath them.

“You don’t want to be having the police officer basically kneeling down or having to go under a vehicle to see if there’s anything under there,” Jeffers said.

The equipment will outlast the summit. Benjamin said part of the donation will remain in the forces’ joint operation centre, while the rest moves to the ABDF’s training directorate.

“Others will be placed within our training directorate where they will support the training and development of future soldiers, future leaders within the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force,” he said.

He added that the items will stay available for national use at future major events, provided they remain in working order. Jeffers said the mirrors will remain with the bomb disposal team for vehicle checks at large events, including cricket at the stadium.

AUA, the main venue for CHOGM 2026, described the donation as part of its wider role in the summit.

“As the main venue for CHOGM 2026, AUA is proud to be more than a host,” said Dr Danielle Ward, AUA’s executive director of community affairs. She described the university as “a committed partner in the collective effort to ensure a safe, secure, and successful event for Antigua and Barbuda.”