Public consultation on controversial Police Act postponed
The government postponed its planned consultations with the public on the controversial Police Act of 2019 that was scheduled to be hosted last evening May 10.
The consultations were slated to take place on the Government’s Public Eye program and was scheduled to be aired live on the Government’s Facebook page, ZBVI 780 AM radio and CBN Channel 101 on Flow TV.
It remains unclear what was the reason for the postponement.
The next dates advertised for public consultations on the Act are May 25 at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School, May 26 at the Catholic Community Centre in Virgin Gorda, and May 27 at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke.
Previously, Premier Andrew Fahie promised to make another attempt at passing the controversial Police Act which drew intense public criticism and failed to pass in the House of Assembly last year.
However, he said this time, he will be sure to hold public consultations to hear the public’s view on the piece of legislation.
Among the changes that drew public outcry was a proposal to give police officers immunity while acting under a warrant.
“The Police Act is going to be brought back to the House of Assembly and I assure the public that after the first reading there will be extensive public consultation so that you the people can tell us what is your input on this legislation,” Premier Fahie said.
The proposed Police Act
The new Police Act was being touted as one which would help with crime-fighting in the territory.
It seeks to replace the current three-decade-old Police Act (Cap 165).
Last year, Opposition legislator Julian Fraser expressed several concerns, stating that there were too many ambiguities that will need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.
Such examples include clauses 22 and 185 of the Act. The first states that police officers are not personally liable for acts done under a warrant, while the latter clause provides immunity for police officers acting under the authority of a warrant.
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Are we turning the British Virgin Islands into a police state?
Look at some of these guys they will like nothing better than not having to give account to how they treat someone in the line of duty.
No one should be immune from their actions, it says we are unable to do our jobs correctly so protect us, it encourage bad behavior in those who are BAD, it is Just outright WRONG!
SMH…Only in the Virgin Islands the Police Force is infested with so much Non Belongers ruling ITs Communities with such destain to ITs People.
JAIL FOR THE BADS THE WAY SHOULD BE A LONG TIME PLEASE!! ANY ONE NO CONSIDERATIONS AT ALL!! OR BEHAVE OR JAIL!!
We the public do not want this Act…Police men and women need to be accountability for their actions when carrying out a warrant. Because if they come to my house with a warrant especially if it is for my husband or son’s who has done something wrong unbeknown to Me they need to conduct themselves in a respextable manner. Certain powers do go to our heads as human beings. So no do not accept this bills. But from previous experience the Government do not listen to.the people only time they listen is for voted.
However desperate we are to get rid of crime, we must never place the police above the law.
Heard a knocking on my door, my husband open, to br greeted with 4 police officers with crank machine gun in his face, only to find out they have the wrong house, the house they looking for wasnt even in the same yard,, This shows they didnt do their investigation properly..My Husband was anxious to file a law suit because of the fear and life threatening action of the police along with the early morning disturbamce all for no good reasons because they failed to do due deligence,.Proper investigationbto ascertain their searching location..I discourage my husband from doing so because some of these police can be very vindictive and vengeance seeking…Today my husband still talk of it and the fear he felt, and how they could make such a mistake, this happen like 3 yrs ago..
Y would this government even entertain that these police already act as if they above the law cuz they in uniform. Empowering these under train police would only b making them more danger 2 the public. They’ll definitely embark on anyone how they want.
THIS GOVERNMENT IS CREATING A COMMUNIST BVI?
Let the war begin .