BVIslanders are the ones giving top cop posts to expats — Matthews
Despite the resentment that many locals may feel when expatriates get top jobs within government, former Police Commissioner Michael Matthews said residents should remember that BVIslanders are the ones who choose these individuals.
Speaking on the Talking Points radio show earlier this week, Matthews said the Governor only accepts the recommendations made by the panel of BVIslanders who select their preferred candidates.
“I know there’s good, healthy debate about whether outsiders should be appointed to these top positions and I understand all of that but you’re selected by a panel of BVIslanders. That’s an important point to get across — BVIslanders do have the first and foremost say in who the chief of police is going to be,” Matthews stated. “They do the interviews — the Police Service Commission does the interviews — they make the recommendations to the Governor, and I’ve not known of any recommendations that have not been accepted. I think all the previous commissioners were appointed in the same fashion.”
Matthews said that as someone who was new to the territory, one of the challenges he faced was getting familiar with the community; something he said took him almost a year.
“The reality kicks in very quickly, especially when you sit at that desk and you suddenly think ‘I’ve got to learn about this place very quickly’. The first six to nine months were particularly busy times, getting your feet under the table and understanding what worked or didn’t work and what needed to work differently. I hope that — in the time I was here — that I managed to establish myself with a good network with the community because I think that was key,” Matthews said.
The most senior posts in the RVIPF have always been controversial in the BVI as there is a perception that expatriates from the United Kingdom are almost always given preference.
Some residents have long held the view that such high-ranking posts should go to highly-skilled and hardworking local police officers who have served with excellence over the years.
While there is a common view that top police posts should be held by BVIslanders, there are still residents who believe policing is better when the Force is led by expatriates because having locals as leaders would fuel crime and corruption.
Just recently, local law enforcer Jacqueline Vanterpool was appointed as one of two Deputy Commissioners for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). The other Deputy Commissioner is officer St Clair Amory. UK native Pam Trevillion, was appointed as Assistant Commissioner of Police. The currently man at the helm of the RVIPF is UK national, Mark Collins.
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Let’s talk about the difference in payment between the UK officers and the officers that have been working here. Not inciting any division, just that this disparity is unfair in some respects.
I sure it probably has 10 local officers in that force, if so much! So don’t think they have much of a choice.
I doubt this is entirely true. I am sure the governor influences this process. They must really take us for fools.
Michael Matthews Why don’t you crawl back into the hole you crawl out off, when you were Police Commissioner you didn’t do a good job now because you live here you have a whole lot to say.
They say we are corrupt but they still want to retire, buy house and land and live here. Why do you all want to live in a country with corrupt people. Go back to the city of London where there is no corruption and everyone is honest, fair and nice.
That man is scooping something why he still here. Wait you will see.
BVISLANDERS ARE THEIR WORST OWNED ENEMIES
Hush and leave. Shoot!
Everywhere..so live on the moon?
He trying to convince us that its really a panel of bvislanders with nobody influencing the process is who choosing a white man from the UK every single time… If that’s the case then that panel/ board need looking into.
this man needs to stop lie the governor sent the final two to the PSC and they had no other choice. These devils think will are fools
Both Mic, John and Mark are the same; white guilt
And if you people posting nonsense on here cared enough about the truth, you could easily find out Matthews is telling the TRUTH!
1. Police Service Commission interviewed, selected and recommended the last 3 top COPs appointed. Just ask them. They would tell you that.
2. No BVIslanders are applying for the post of top COP. That pressure is too much. They know their limitations. Nothing wrong with that.
So let’s not make it what it is not to fit our victim mindset. I am proud BVIslander who appreciates the truth!!
They basically think that the position should just be handed to a local just because the person is a local with no regards to ability, experience, education and training. that is how the BVI works. If you work in an office for a long time, then you automatically qualify as the manger.
Well I’m sure it was an easy decision like if you don’t accept the RDA, you don’t get any assistance during the worst disaster in BVI history or if you don’t do what I “recommend” I will suspend your constitution. I love UK.
The man talking truth, BvIslanders are the Ones oppressing their Own to facilitate Non Virgin Islanders.( Greed, Envy, Badminded, Crab mentality)
This man seems to have a problem with BVIslanders controlling their destiny. When he was Commissioner he constantly pushed the narrative to create an image that BVIslanders got their success from drugs and the proceeds of criminal conduct. Now he is talking about who should be in leadership roles in our Territory. When is he going to get over this supremisist mental state that he came here with. I’ll answer! He probably never will, given he come from a country where it is the prevailing belief up to now in the 21st century, that some humans are born better than others and should dictate who soever amongst mankind is worthy. As police commissioner I hope he saw it different and advised the Governor fill posts with BVIslanders. Or does he truely belive a king should have honour in his own Country? lolol
He is protecting the image of the failed Governor’s group over the decades. He is still here because he is a part of the UK’s PR strategists team rebranding the BVI as a place where the locals didn’t earn what they have legitimately and are not to be trusted . He is a UK plant.
The older folks especially the women has ingrained in their children that expatriates come here to take away their heritage .
This has stemmed from their male population who were messing around with the women from other islands .
Some of them fathered children by these women and forced their families to accept these outside children into their homes . The mothers had no choice as they were dependent on the man .
This has helped to create a huge dislike between locals and expatriates. This is one of the major root cause
The children and the expatriate mothers fight the children for land and property . Some of them deliberately make the babies to create upheaval. The majority of men sits by a bar and Bragg about this life style .. They don’t care about the effects in their home .
Nobody wants to admit this as one of the greatest factors . This is a very strange culture .
That is why an indigenous BVIslander never accepts an island woman married into their family … They only tolerate you . All in the church is the same thing . This is a deep social issue !! It will continue to plague this country . It goes both ways
B.v. Islanders have had a history self hatred and self-discrimination, falsely believing those who come from above Round Rock are better, ie, mentally, intellectually, and physically superiority, especially those whose ancestors come from the Cacausoid Mountain in northern Russia. Mouth open tory jump out. Mathews was part of the good old old boys club and a part of the white elites inner circle. Virgin Islanders stop the nonsense and be proud of who you are. Everybody else is proud of who they are.
You need to talk all. There are many expats who teach their born here children to hate virgin islanders. This is a fact that I know.
People forget that BVI is a village with big city problems. There are maybe 15-20,000 belongers in the BVI, yet the presence of international criminal drug gangs operating human trafficking and drugs transportation are the same level as might operate in Miami, New York or London. The top cop police roles have experience in this size cities, with large police forces dealing with these type of criminals all day long. Nobody is saying BVI Islanders are not capable of these roles – but not many have the experience needed to properly address these problems. Maybe some of the top BVIslnders in the force should go work for a few years in US or UK, then come back with the experience needed.
Thank you! Matthew’s trying to cause division
He lives here now?