Vast majority of police are honest people — Governor
Despite some concerns expressed by members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and by residents in the community, Governor John Rankin has contended that the vast majority of the RVIPF are honest and good people.
The Governor’s comment comes against the backdrop of recent calls by a private group of RVIPF officers who called on Commissioner Mark Collins to resign over allegations of dishonesty and impropriety and an ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) law enforcement review.
“The vast majority of police officers — just as a vast majority, I’m confident of officers in other agencies — are good, honest people,” Rankin said. “But where you have a few people who might be bad apples, that can harm the organisation as a whole.”
The Governor explained that it was necessary to embark on a vetting review, as recommended by the COI report, to introduce systems to conduct checks on persons in the RVIPF and other law enforcement agencies. He argued that this review would help determine whether there are potential conflicts or criminal connections and allow the public to have confidence in their work.
The Governor further noted that plans are underway to determine the vetting process as the persons responsible are currently in the territory.
“The Police Commissioner has been determined to take action that, where any of his police officers have been involved in wrongdoing, that action is taken to suspend them from their work, to have investigations and charges brought as necessary.”
Deputy Governor David Archer, in the meantime, pointed out that vetting is not something new. He suggested that law enforcement officers, at the onset of entering the institution, should come with a certain level of integrity, honesty, and incorruptability.
According to the Deputy Governor, there should be no excuses in those areas.
Archer further argued that Human Resources must be involved because vetting does not stop at the COI recommendation. “We’re not trying to have a short-term fix of quality, but make sure that the institution is built and robust for future quality checks at this level,“ he added.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Yeah dishonest!
But you are not!
how this dishonest man uplifting more dishonest people and think he going get away with it
“The Police Commissioner has been determined to take action that, where any of his police officers have been involved in wrongdoing, that action is taken to suspend them from their work, to have investigations and charges brought as necessary.”
Some cases should have been dropped a long time ago.
That’s a bold face LIE!!!!!!!!
Is the Governor serious? We need all police officers, prison officers, Elected Officials and those who are charge with protecting the people of these islands to be honest and trustworthy. Anything less will be a problem. eg. our current crime situation.
@Bree…sounds good on paper. Ask Guy Hill about that. He will not lie to you. I know that for sure.
The governor need to just go from here and take his lying cousin Mark Collins with him.
Why would they publish lies so early in the day. Pretty shameful.
John Rankin please.. stop while you are ahead.
Deputy Governor David Archer suggested that law enforcement officers, at the onset of entering the institution, should come with a certain level of integrity, honesty, and incorruptability
According to the Deputy Governor, there should be no excuses in those areas.
So why you et al… treated a certain local
in the way you all did? I don’t even have to name him or her.
I will say this until God comes…
Law enforcement have to develop a culture where the corrupt officer fears the incorruptible officer and not the other way around.
I will add…Governor’s their Deputies, Heads of Departments, Permanent Secretaries and Politicians should not be exempt from this standard.
Do police officers and the Governor tell lies? Yes they do and often…