Government Promises Better Insurance, Welfare Benefits for Police Officers

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin has pledged to strengthen insurance coverage and welfare benefits for police officers, saying the government has a responsibility to better protect those who risk their lives in the line of duty.

Delivering the keynote address at the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda’s 50th recruit graduation ceremony on Thursday, Benjamin said the government is committed to improving the support available to officers and their families, particularly when officers are injured or killed while performing their duties.

He said policing remains one of the country’s most demanding professions and that officers should not have to worry about whether their families will be adequately cared for if tragedy strikes.

Benjamin said the government is reviewing measures aimed at providing improved insurance protection for officers who suffer injuries in the line of duty while also strengthening welfare arrangements for their families.

He said those serving in law enforcement routinely place themselves in dangerous situations to protect the public and deserve assurances that the state will stand behind them.

The Attorney General said improving officers’ welfare extends beyond salaries and equipment and must include meaningful support systems that recognize the sacrifices made by police officers and their loved ones.

Benjamin also underscored the government’s broader investment in national security, pointing to ongoing efforts to modernize policing through technology, training and improved infrastructure.

Addressing the graduating recruits, he urged them to carry out their duties with integrity, professionalism and compassion, reminding them that public confidence in the police depends not only on their ability to enforce the law but also on the manner in which they serve.

The welfare commitments formed part of a broader address in which Benjamin emphasized that national development depends on a professional, well-supported police service capable of meeting increasingly complex security challenges.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Police Officers to Receive Enhanced Insurance and Welfare Support, Benjamin Says.