Commissioner Steve Foster Responds to Public Concerns About Last Week’s Flag Raising Ceremony

The Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) has issued a press release in response to the myriad of public comments following the recent raising of the Jamaican flag on the RMPS/Government of Montserrat compound.

The raising of the Jamaican flag on Friday August 6th was in commemoration of that island’s 59th anniversary of independence from Britain.

According to the release, by now the public must be aware that a large number of Jamaicans serve within the RMPS and it was with this in mind, that the RMPS facilitated the flag raising ceremony in solidarity with the Jamaican nationals serving within the Police Service.

The RMPS says its recent action embraced the diversity of the Royal Montserrat Police Service and by extension the Montserrat Community on the Jamaican Independence Day.

In the release, the organization states that it is incorrect to say that the Jamaica flag replaced the Montserrat Flag, as both flags were being flown at the same time on the day in question.  

The RMPS noted that it was right that both flags were not flown on the same flag pole, highlighting however, that with a simple glance it would have been noticeable that the Montserrat Flag was being flown as always on the Flag pole closest to the station while the Jamaican Flag was been flown on the temporary pole on the opposite side of the parking lot.

In the release, Commissioner of Police Steve Foster  assures the public that the actions of the RMPS by no means were meant to disrespect members of the community or the Island which they serve.

He pointed out that it was meant as a goodwill gesture and a means of inclusivity, embracing the diversity of other cultures….emphasizing that It was in every respect done bona fide.

Commissioner Foster reveals that in the past few days, the organization has reviewed its protocols, the decision and implications thereof….stating that they have learnt lessons from the public’s input and the debates in the print and local media. 

He is assuring the public that future activity geared at embracing the diversity of the RMPS will be guided by strictest adherence to all local and international protocols and conventions.

Commissioner Foster therefore apologizes to the Montserrat communities at home and abroad for any embarrassment this might have caused.