Don’t compare Police Commissioner to ‘rogue’ public officer — Governor
The public continues to debate the similarities between the actions of ‘rogue’ public officer Najan Christopher and Police Commissioner Mark Collins who recently faced backlash for approving a negative and graphically violent video about the BVI.
Christopher is the former Director of the International Affairs Secretariat who was recently arrested and charged after reportedly sending a diplomatic note to the United States (US) courts earlier this year, reportedly in an attempt to free disgraced former Premier, Andrew Fahie.
Some sections of the public have expressed that her arrest was unfair especially since Police Commissioner Collins faced no consequences for his alleged role in a viral video that portrayed the BVI as a crime-infested place.
But speaking at a press conference yesterday, Governor John Rankin stated that there is no suitable comparison between the actions of the two public officers.
“I’m not going to comment on the particular circumstances of Ms Christopher which you understand is now before the courts. But otherwise, I think the comparison you’ve made between the two is not an apt comparison,” Governor Rankin said in response to a question from a member of the media.
Governor Rankin said it should be noted that Commissioner Collins’ actions were examined and cleared by the National Security Council (NSC). He said the Commissioner apologised and the NSC determined that the senior cop’s actions were not malicious.
“The Council also acknowledged and agreed that the material and general content of the video was already in wide circulation in the public domain…There was absolutely no criminal offence committed by the Commissioner of Police — breach of trust or otherwise,” the Governor explained.
Najan Christopher was arrested and charged on October 10 for breach of trust by a public officer and false assumption of authority.
But some sections of the public say she was only doing her job when she dispatched the letter to assist former Premier Fahie.
Radio talk show host Claude Skelton Cline has stated that Christopher is a good candidate for elected office and should consider contesting the next general election.
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If they both made mistakes why is it that one could apologize after lying to the public and the other has faced criminal charges? To me for the chief of police to be caught lying is a problem. He is a symbol of Justice and what should be right. If he is caught in a lie it brings his work into question in my view. He said he advised the tourist board, that was not true. He said it was a training video and that was not true. He engaged a media production company to come to show the BVI in a bad light and even had a case that is yet to be determined by courts as part of his exploit. I have a problem with that. Why wasn’t Najan given the opportunity to apologize for her mistake?
We are not all gullible Governor and UK. The rest of people in the BVI will catch on to your tricks. Hopefully it’s not too late for us when they do.
Claude stop talking BS she went and defy authority. Would you like if an employee of yours had gone and done something that could cost your business its reputation especially after you told them not to do so?
She has a lot to answer for why was she so adamant to do so when she was told it was not in the power and authority of the Premier office to do so but the UK foreign and commonwealth office. She is totally out of place. And she had sent it and didn’t sign it allegedly.
We all know who these UK people is they have an agenda but if we didn’t have leaders who didn’t compromise and could have stood up to them without fear that we would be charge our arrested for crimes investigated he would not have done that Video.
“not an apt comparison” are the Guv’s words and he’s correct. For example comparing some of the BVI’s outspoken clergy/pastors to Christian saints is also not an apt comparison!
WHATS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE GANDER
What was in the police video that wasnt true? It was cctv coverage of a real machine gun murder. The COP didnt invent a thing.
Question: Were there any elements in the Police in Paradise clip that were fabrications?
I ask, because it appears that the bone of contention is that the video “…put the VI in bad light.” It appears not to matter at all that some of the things highlighted in the video ARE in fact the realities on the ground in “Nature’s Little Secrets”
We who live in these parts are well aware that the reality is far worse than that which was portrayed in the video, but we would prefer to bury our heads in the sand and try and give the impression that all is nice and dandy.
The boat tossing bales is old footage from DR.alot of the footage not even bvi.weresvthe video with them man hauling partner them find Northside out of the club.?
A leaked video that was never officially released or approved that although painful was truthful vs an official document sent to the US government on behalf of a corrupt official … how are these two the same ?
One is criminal the other poor decision at best?
all of you black people cant be trusted all of them are one and descriminate everybody who is not black in this place!! shame of you!
This is about race only because Najah is black
Hmm, one mistake seems administrative (stupid but administrative) and the other seems criminal (unless they managed to save an email from the deputy premier (or a tape recording) indicating they can use the office stamp)
LOL the video was full of things that actually HAPPENED here in the BVI, but some of you are pissed cause the world got a glimpse of your criminal activities LOL LOL
The police need to activate ALL the cctv cameras that fat Albert had disconnected and give credible establishments the OK to install lighting for their establishment and safety of guest! Mouth full, I tired
If you all ain’t think these UK people blogging watch it you see. You all think these people easy. I let is one big set up to do what they want with our country. Everybody is criminal. We can’t lead ourselves. Watch the game. Stop making people who do not care about you lead you astray.
The place is full of white police officers coming to round up
the black herd. Doesn’t this offend anyone? Are our minds this colonized? Oh I forgot, our local officers are black and so they are incompetent. We need the white uk officers here to do the job.
BVI people really agreeing with the Governor’s assessment??? Ayo DUMB buddy!!!
I didnt see nor hear any apology if there ever was one. What exactly did he apologize for? How did it go? If he didnt do wrong, why is he apologising and to the national security council at there? Just got caught in a lie. There was a CLEAR BREACH. The people need to demand a public inquiry into the deception, fraud, breach of trust and completely dishonest actions of a commissioner who is in a position of trust but has committed several offences in one go, each of which need to be answered to.
It was a TRAINING VIDEO!!! Real footage. No sugar coat. You don’t have to like it. Get over it.
This article shows stupidity running rampant.
Is like these people more upset that a video got made showing the level of violence and crime happening in our streets than the actual fact that that level of violence and crime is happening in our streets…. Everything in the video was real so be upset that this is what bvi turning into.
everybody is straying from the topic at hand and spreading their own racial and political agenda.The two persons aforementioned are both public servants that went out of their duties to fulfill acts that they felt were needed to be done. The commisioner should have been penalized some how maybe not to the extreme like the local but to some extent!!!