$$ from crime used to fund police cafeteria overhaul

Members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) now have a more comfortable cafeteria and recreational area that was funded by cash seized during police operations in the British Virgin Islands.

Sergeant Sean McCall who acted as the Project Manager told BVI News on Tuesday that the refurbished facility is now wider with new furniture, flooring, ceilings, windows, doors and is now fully air-conditioned.

The once dark recreational area is now bright with a fresh coat of paint.

“It cost a reasonable amount, and the funds came from monies that we seized, and it didn’t have an owner. But, there are legal procedures to have it placed in the Police Welfare Fund. So we went through the proper channels. We are proud that we placed it to good use,” McCall said.

The project which was undertaken by Rufred Forbes and Associates started late in November and ended two weeks ago.

McCall said the overhaul was necessary.

“Police must be comfortable, it must be conducive, and it is difficult to be patrolling the streets, and you come to the back and you are hot and sticky. You have to have a proper place for police to recreate.”

Named in honour of late Chief Inspector

In the meantime, the facility was named the ‘Chief Inspector Wilson T Sylvester Recreational Facility,’ in honour of the late Grenadian who died following a battle with a failing kidney several years ago.

While making an address at the opening of the refurbished facility, Sergeant McCall also said it was time for the police to have an archive. His remarks come following their inability to initially determine Sylvester’s rank without the help of family members of the honoree.

“There was a debate as to whether our honoree was an Inspector or a Chief Inspector, and it shows that our force definitely needs archives,” he said.

McCall said he will be seeking funding and the necessary human resource from the Governor’s Office.

Meanwhile, police donated dry goods to the Family Support Network while the Autism Centre received $7,500 from proceeds of a sponsored walk-a-thon.