New Police Commissioner to take office in April
Veteran United Kingdom police chief and Queen’s Police Medal honouree, Mark Collins will take up the post of Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police in April.
Governor Augustus Jaspert appointed Collins, acting in accordance with the advice of the Police Service Commission, in keeping with the procedure outlined in 97 of the Virgin Islands Constitution.
The Governor said: “I am delighted that Mr Collins has accepted the position of Commissioner of Police. He will bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to the role.”
He added that Collins’ leadership experience in particular will be valuable as the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force continues to build capacity among its leadership ranks.
Governor Jaspert went on to thank the Police Service Commission for their role in the recruitment process. He also extended appreciation to Commissioner Michael Matthews for his commitment and dedication to the role for the last four years.
Speaking of his appointment, Collins said: “I very much look forward to starting my new role as Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and serving the people of BVI.”
According to a news release by the government, Collins will bring more than 33 years of experience in law enforcement to the post. Most recently, he served as the Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police in Wales — a position he held for four years.
Before that, he served as Deputy Chief Constable in Bedfordshire and as Borough Commander of Walthamstow as part of London’s Metropolitan Police. Collins currently serves as the lead officer for mental health matters and for child sexual exploitation in the UK National Police Chiefs’ Council.
Collins was made a Fellow of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2019 and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for his services to policing in Her Majesty’s New Year Honours List 2020.
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Welcome Commissioner Collins. You have a tough task ahead of you and I wish you every success.
I was an unsuccessful candidate for the post and also wish you every success
Welcome Commissioner Collins. Wishing you a successful term.
What happen like them godly tolans ain’t qualified for the job???
Only expats have to come in for the high position in y’all island
What a joke
Congratulations sir
Wish you the best
Welome!!.. and Mr. Matthews welcome to Customs
Old white retired Brits heading to BVI for their dream job. Long vacation with sun sand and sea with pay in the BVI.
By the way is he related to the last director of public prosecution?
Congratulations Commissioner Collins, you will be leading a great police force in a great Territory. I’m a Canadian that was interviewed for the post and I was thoroughly impressed how much the Police Commission cares for their community and police force.
Did a great Job with Dyfed powys, knows his trade inside out
Hopefully he gets a grip of tortola