I’ll be inquiring! Penn ‘appalled’ at RVIPF recruitment video gone awry
Health Minister and former Opposition leader, Marlon Penn expressed that he was appalled about a video that purported to be a recruiting tool emanating from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) hierarchy.
The video which features Police Commissioner Mark Collins and several other prominent members of the police force depicts in graphic visuals some of the crimes that have occurred in recent years in the BVI, among other things.
“I saw the video just like everyone else circulating through the various chat groups and social media forums,” Penn said on the Talking Points radio show yesterday. “I too was appalled by the content of it, the way it was presented. I think it doesn’t represent the true nature of who we are as Virgin Islanders and as a country.”
Penn said while he is aware that the BVI has its challenges, much like any other country in the world, painting such a picture as if it represents what BVIslanders are as a people and as a territory is really unbecoming, regardless of whoever may have sanctioned the video.
“I’m going to ask questions, the poignant questions in the room, particularly on what that video depicts in terms of our people. I’m really disappointed,” Penn stated.
In the meantime, the Health Minister said he did not want to cast any aspersions on how the video was done or who may have done it, noting that he would prefer to speak from a position of facts when assessing the situation.
“BVI is much more than the images that were shown in that video. We are a country of resilient people, a people that came through Grant-in-Aid, a people that pulled itself up by its spot straps,” Penn expressed.
Police chief apologises
Police Commissioner Mark Collins issued an apology late yesterday for the video being circulated, calling it incomplete and insisting that it was not meant for the public.
According to the Commissioner, none of the violence, drug trans-shipments or the seizures shown in the video would ever be appropriate to be viewed by the public.
“I am saddened by the actions taken to bring me and the Force into disgrace. I am even more disheartened that the people of this territory have to endure additional distress and trauma in this already very difficult time. I offer apologies on my behalf and that of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force,” the Commissioner stated.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
The governor will make an excuse for the Coo, the same way they did when he brought in someone to the country without going through immigration. If someone is coming here for a job and we have to smuggle them in, then something is wrong. Now you have a video of live investigations, one of which the family member have not receive closure to a gruesome murder and you added it your video without consulting the family. That is a million dollar lawsuit awaiting the government. The Cop knows exactly what he was doing, no excuses should be tolerated. BUT THE AGAIN HE IS ENGLISH AND WHITE.
Which country have we seen take these kinds of videos to recruit members? In as bad as other countries may deem to be, they always post positive stuff and the Cop will speak about the video was not edited. That is BS and he should be sent home, no excuses
The damage was done by the Belonger drug importers, Belonger murderers, Belonger crooked politicians, Belonger rapists, Belonger criminals. Don’t blame someone for advertising it. Blame the people who brought this crime upon you. But… go ahead and blame the whites. It’s much easier!!
And two wrongs make a right???
The whites history, from beginning (15th 16th century) to present and still going on is identical.
So, who taught the people who brought this crime upon us?
What is the difference between an attempt at reverse psychology and abject racism?
Our Government Officials are too f**king weak. That man needs to be resign or be FIRED NOW! If this was the US or UK he would have been forced to leave office. There is NO EXCUSE for that bulls**t, NONE!! It was DELIBERATE!!!!!!! You put a video in the public domain and once it has gone viral you apologize, the damage is DONE, GET RID OF HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Commissioner did NOT put that video in the public domain. The person who leaked it should lose their job and those who continued to share it around, knowing the damage it would do, should also be ashamed. You bring all of this hurt on yourselves and then look to blame someone else.
@ Nonsense #2
Consider this: if the person(s) who leaked the video kept it to themselves, we would have been unaware of it existence. Knowledge of it after completion and release would have been WAY TOO LATE!!
THANKS for the early exposure although damage has already been done
The one released would have been edited and completed. It would not have been the same as the one that was stolen.
The moo moo served the steak before it was cooked.
Racing to slay the Commish,too fast.
Marlon himself needs to go!
Personally I don’t see anything wrong with the video. It is a TRUE representation of the BVI and what has been exposed locally, regionally and internationally. While we as Virgin Islanders would like for certain things to stay in the closet, the fact of the matter is our locals are the one who have been involved from this a long time ago. It was never properly addressed and why certain high ranking government officials are currently on the mess we are in now. Drugs have been thr 3 economic pillar of the BVI. Call a spade a spade. Not a duck cause I’m sure there is more to be revealed with more investigations and cases to come. Just saying ?
If they tell a story then tell ALL! Charter companies not just locals smuggling drugs!
I too was appalled because that video of the shooting in Fish Bay is for a crime for which the accused is still before the court and no conviction has been made. Why would the police be using evidence in an ongoing criminal case before the Court? Something is totally wrong with that…totally wrong!!!
Is this a concerted effort by the UK to bring down the good name and reputation of the BVI? God sees and knows the motives of even a man’s heart. Be careful whoever you are that has an agenda to bring down the BVI. We are a resilient God-fearing people and will turn to God for mercy and forgiveness and He will hear us and expose you in the end.
..already dis a good job of that.
Just be mindful of the fact that the video may be in circulation to distract from other investigations ongoing. Personally, I feel it is more important to investigate the decades of misappropriated funds, the lack of government transparency, the overinflated government contracts and the appointment of unqualified people to high salary or board positions…. What better way to distract everyone from the real issues plaguing our country everyday than to start some crazy narrative of a UK hidden agenda to take down the BVI so they can take over and take our resources…. COME ON! As a country we need to move forward together. This has done exactly what was intended… even the most outspoken activists have taken their eyes off the ball…. So we get a proper apology and the COP is replaced… then what? What do we as a territory gain from that? YES i agree that our Governor and our COP should have the upmost respect for our country and its people and this should be reflected in what they say and do and this video does not follow that narrative, but if we did not demand resignation for the greedy bill and for the ministers insurance packages what are we all shouting about? Do not forget that it is the elected government officials who have let us down time and time again to a point where we don’t even know who we can trust…. What a sad day for our territory.
The one released would have been edited and completed. It would not have been the same as the one that was stolen.
The moo moo served the steak before it was cooked.
Racing to slay the Commish,too fast.