We’re trying to avoid underhanded policing tactics — Fraser
Opposition Leader Julian Fraser has argued that the BVI should be trying to avoid law enforcement tactics that will infringe upon the rights of residents of the territory.
Fraser’s comments were made after Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley withdrew a controversial Police Bill from the House of Assembly (HOA), which among other things, proposed to collect DNA and other ‘intimate samples’ such as semen from criminal suspects without the use of a warrant.
Governor John Rankin previously urged lawmakers to pass the Police Bill, arguing among other things, that it would help significantly in allowing the police force to employ modern techniques to solve serious crimes being committed in the territory.
But the Premier, after arguing that lawmakers could not pass the Bill in its current state, promised to return to the HOA with a ‘very small’ amendment at the next House sitting sometime next week.
The Third District Representative, in the meantime, said he was concerned about police tactics that seek to surreptitiously collect DNA samples from criminal suspects without a warrant, as is currently being done in the United States.
Fraser read from Section 31 of the proposed Police Bill which stated that any failure to follow a prescribed procedure in that section, shall not render intimate samples taken as inadmissible evidence in any legal proceedings.
He said persons can watch ‘cop shows’ to get a better understanding of what that means and described a scenario where a person’s DNA sample is taken without a warrant from a cup they drank from at a restaurant.
“We are trying to avoid that kind of behaviour,” Fraser said. “These are avoidable tactics that are followed procedurally. This section essentially allows the police to collect the above items without following the procedures, without any ramifications whatsoever. How can this be?”
“He didn’t have a warrant to get it, but he got it,” Fraser said.
Fraser said he didn’t mind persons drafting legislation for lawmakers to pass in the HOA, but argued that lawmakers shouldn’t be stupid enough to pass laws that impose draconian measures upon the people.
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To arrest all corrupt politicians and drug dealers..
The saddest thing is that our legislators do not actually understand what they are discussing especially this guy! The people are desperate to see the bad criminals taken off the streets and yet we cannot give our police the modern tools to do it. Such modern powers already exist around the world way beyond the US but we will stay in the dark ages here no doubt!
FRASER FOR PREMIER
You are so ignorean you can’t see tell me which part of the world is this happening police can coming to your home with out a warrant
Thank God, You and Carvin will soon be gone forever..
The Virgin Islands law enforcement community needs to develop a culture where the corrupt officer fears the incorruptible officer and not the other way around. Cut the bull nonsense as the late Chief Minister of sainted memory Mr. Lavity Stout would say.
When law enforcement want to come into your house they need to get a dam warrant. No knock, get shot.
No No No. Did anyone who lashed out at the politician read the article?
In this case he is right, this is not our way using such tactics either against our own people.
We should never have to worry about a government going through our garbage looking for DNA. Or going through your home & property without due cause & a warrant from a judge.
Has a lot to say now , when the coach was in charge he was more QUIETER than a church mouse ? ( we wondering, if he was in premiere ,would he have refused the uk navy ,that was more sophisticated and free and give away our taxpayers money ?
Fraser for Balo
in most parts of the world including the UK and the USA the police can come into your house if they have probable cause
and in many parts including the UK DNA samples are taken from suspects and kept
And we the people are trying to avoid being shot by drug gangs.
And being robbed by crooked politicians.