Planned police vetting is to strengthen public trust in cops
Governor Daniel Pruce has emphasised that the planned introduction of vetting within the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) aims to protect officers from undue influence and coercion.
Speaking on The Talking Points radio show on Monday, January 27, the Governor described the new vetting phase as a critical measure to strengthen public trust in the police force.
“One of the ways that I think we can strengthen the level of confidence and trust the people of the Islands have in the force is by moving to the phase of work that we have been working on for many months now, which is the introduction of vetting into the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF),” Pruce stated.
He explained that the vetting process will help safeguard officers from “undue influence, coercion, or any form of malign influence” that could exploit individual circumstances. “Vetting provides a framework where an individual can disclose their circumstances,” the Governor added, noting that this allows the RVIPF to provide appropriate support or solutions.
Governor Pruce also revealed that vetting will eventually be implemented in His Majesty’s Prisons, as well as the Immigration and Customs departments, but will first focus on the police force.
Earlier this month, Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool announced during a press conference that internal vetting would soon be introduced to help prevent and detect corrupt officers within the force.
Currently, 12 officers are interdicted on various charges, most of which involve Breach of Trust.
The move to introduce vetting comes amid heightened scrutiny of the RVIPF, with the recently passed Police Act sparking debate in the House of Assembly. Opposition members have raised concerns about the public’s lack of trust in the force, calling for urgent measures to address the issue.
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Make sure they know how and where to get warrants from so the evidence they collect can actually be used in court to lock up the criminals please and thanks – concerned citizen
RVIPF wasnt vetting applicants all this time? How did they go about hiring, just cover their eyes and say yea u, ur hired? i dont understand, im genuinely confused cause what yal mean INTRODUCE VETTINGGG???? somebody speak up…..quickly!!
some a them new lady cops looking fine af ngl. Some kinda vetting was going on.
Now i ain goin there with you lololol FOCUS!!!
one at the airport with a damn tongue ringg. How unprofessional ! Don’t they have some kinda dress code to adhere to?
They had vetting apparently just not formal and structured. Now it will be formal and structured which is long overdue.
Either the current vetting process in place is obsolete and/or there is none to begin with. Which is it? Based on observations over the past decade, the majority of recruits seem not interested in knowing the communities and fostering relationships with them. Some of these ‘officers’ use their positions to unfairly manipulate situations and lack professionalism and sensible judgement.
At the very least, they should possess an Associate degree
I know good hard working folks that applied and were never given a chance. Guess some people are too honest for certain jobs LOL
Here is some possible suggestion for selecting qualify persons to be Police Officers.
Person should be born in the Virgin Islands or be a Belonger. Persons holding Residency status should be a resident for 5years or more. If they attended school in the BVI from Primary to High School and beyond then they can be considered. No one who show up here and has no status should be allowed.
They should be made to take advance course in legal and policing subjects to always keep abreast of issues.
They should be asked about their religious convictions. (I know some might be mad at this, but it has to be said. People usually display behaviors in line with what they believe in. If they don’t see anything wrong with certain activities, it will be hard for them to do their job.)
They should know the history of this country and the geography also. (Witness one trying to assist a tourist)
With the jokers iv seen in police uniform I knew there was no vetting.