'Confidence of community' priority for new CoP Michael 'Mick' Matthews
It was at the Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday celebrations yesterday April 21, 2016 that Matthews gave this news site a brief interview, promising to make himself available for a longer session where he could talk about “all sorts of issues.”
“Obviously yesterday (April 20, 2016) was my first day in post...I got sworn in and you know what its going to be like for the next few days...it will just be meeting and greeting people and getting to understand the construct here and who does what,” he said.
“I am very aware that already people are speaking to me about their concerns about law and order on the islands...how important is it that the community has a voice,” he said.
According to Matthews, community involvement in the law and order fight is his top priority. “If I can do things with the community rather than do things to the community then I think we are winning.”
Matthews said that he first needs to get the “confidence of the community behind me as a leader...so that is what I am going to set out to do.”
He said his mandate here would be to maintain law and order and to continue the work of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
Matthews arrives in the territory after some eight months since former Police Commissioner David Morris left the territory and the vacant post being snubbed by a United Kingdom police officer Robin Smith.
Matthews was sworn into office on April 20, 2016 by Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards. Mr Matthews, a UK national, takes over the reins of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) at a time when it has been rocked with allegations of corruption and increasing armed robberies in the territory.
Earlier this month, the RVIPF announced that three of its officers were charged for alleged corruption. They have since been remanded to prison.
Police corruption and armed robberies are already two major issues that stand out for Mr Matthews to address as Commissioner. Another troubling issue on the plate for the new CoP is alleged racism in the force.
In August 2015 Virgin Islands News Online had first and accurately reported that Mr Robin Smith of the United Kingdom had been given the job of Police Commissioner, however, Mr Smith suddenly withdrew in October.
Roles & accomplishments
According to a press release from the RVIPF, the former Chief Constable for the Sovereign Base Areas Police in Cyprus and 34-year veteran law enforcer successfully climbed the ranks of the Gloucestershire Constabulary in the UK and is now on contract with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force for the next three years.
“In his role as Commissioner, Mr Matthews will be the overall strategic commander of the Force ensuring that the Force is in compliance with legal requirements as well as standard policing practices, policies and procedures overseas. He will also provide operational policing leadership and mentorship to divisional heads.
His other functions include overseeing key crime fighting strategies within the RVIPF and developing and implementing sustainable programmes for the long-term capacity and capability of the RVIPF.”
Among his accomplishments, Mr Matthews drafted and delivered on an overall strategic plan for reducing crime levels while maintaining detection rates that were above 50%. At the same time, he was able to establish a comprehensive recruitment plan for officers and maintain a high level of trust and confidence from members of the local community in Cyprus, the press release stated.
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20 Responses to “'Confidence of community' priority for new CoP Michael 'Mick' Matthews”
The reality is, with attitudes like yours, he will find it so hard to succeed here. It will be your (our) failure not his!
This is a punishment JOB for them. . . why would either want to come here? ? ?
Last hurrah before retirement. That is why they so old n worn looking.