Turnbull hammers top cop over poor security for judges
Second District Representative Melvin Mitch Turnbull blasted Police Commissioner Mark Collins over the lack of security offered to judges and magistrates in the territory.
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards reportedly wrote to officials indicating that she will not reopen the Magistrate’s Court until there is adequate security available for her and other magistrates, as well as for the operations of the court.
Turnbull, who was part of the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meetings held late last year, noted that the issue has been ongoing for years, where judicial officials have been left without the necessary protection.
During the SFC meetings, Turnbull challenged the commissioner to give an assurance that he would assign police protective detail for the court at its resumption this month.
He continued: “I am not going to be a party to something happening … to a magistrate or officers of the court, then we react to it, or we go to the extreme and say we need all of these resources.”
Territorial At-Large Representative Stacy Mather also pressed Collins over the lack of security available for judicial officials and those at the prison. “You are aware, Commissioner, of the recent incident with the police and prison van in broad daylight, where someone was coming to court to give evidence? You know what happened,” Mather said while addressing Collins during the recently concluded SFC meetings.
Collins told the SFC that he felt the vast majority of court cases were dealt with via Zoom and argued that the RVIPF faced a challenge where there was a vacancy issue of 57, including 29 constables.
“Whilst the magistrates have been asking for security for a number of years, we’ve also been asking them to actually give us a full-time equivalent number of officers that have been recognised as a need,” Collins told lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton said he too was disappointed that the governor — who is also responsible for the internal security of the territory — has caused members of different government departments to have to come to the SFC to ask for security.
“I know this is where everybody comes to lobby for money, but it should not be that difficult. It bothers me a little here talking about it because internal security is not just police. It’s all the court systems,” Skeleton said.
The Opposition Leader said the Minister of Finance needs to pay more attention to the issue as it is a serious one.
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Standing Finance Committee needs to be broadcast live to the public.
That’s one of the promises made on the campaign trail
Will Tamia will jump on any reason not to work?
We need a new Ministry of Complaints and can appoint Hon. Turnbull as Minister.
Thanks Hon. Turnbull for addressing Magistrate’s security. I would take it farther though to say incoming Judges are left with very little supports and funds to ensure a safe and smooth transition into the BVI life. Don’t let up until the supports are in place.
Mitch Turnbull THE PEOPLE WILL LIKE TO KNOW If the Judges and magistrates in the territory ever had security or is this another way at getting at the Top Cop?
He’s hammering the wrong person. Hammer the Premier/Government. If the Governor/COP is supposed to be doing something and they are not, then act…they do not operate in a vacuum. We the people will be happy to see that. But to go to National Security Council and say nothing then go hammer them in Standing Finance makes no sense to me. The Premier has the purse and should hire who is needed for our security.
“Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards reportedly wrote to officials indicating that she will not reopen the Magistrate’s Court until there is adequate security available ”
She did the right thing. This place is real jokey.
How is an ordinary person supposed to take their matter to court if the authority themselves is not secured and virtually invulnerable from violent interference.
She is just being extra and want to feel important. Magistrates in the UK and lower court judges in the USA do not have no security outside of a court room. Has her life been threaten ? Has there been any instance where the security would be warranted ? Whenever a high risk accused is in court there is always a high police presence. So she clearly in her feelings. No reason in the world they need 24hr security detail. It is a waste of resources.
Let she move her bias rass the politicians need security and they do not have any
These judges giving slap on the wrist prison sentences and easy bail conditions.
What do they have to be scared of??
Honorable Turnbull, how about getting your asphalt in gear and fix the roads in Cane? Absolutely embarrassing and this is where the bulk of the cruise ship people are brought.
This woman is a misfit to be a magistrate wasting public funds. Wasted funds to construct a new court house replacing the 1 destroyed by Irma at John’s Hole to now occupy the space at Sakal Place. Utter bs. The public can barely get proper policing, what is so special about you. Simply go home or resign her.
Any private security jobs up for grab?
This moo moo can’t even get potholes filled in his district. Blame that on The CoP too.
While we at it, let’s have COI look at who/where got generators for free after Irma.