David Morris caves to mounting pressure for transparent investigation!
They pointed to a letter he had written as it relates to the investigation promising police officers if they come forward with information they will receive his “full support and appreciation”.
Many interpreted that as a bribe and direct interference by the Commissioner of Police.
Police corruption VI style
It was announced by Government in 2014 that an independent investigation was in place to root out police corruption after months of media reports.
This follows an entire ‘special investigation unit’ of the RVIPF being sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation for wrongdoing, including allegedly stealing cash from drug dealers.
The Virgin Islands’ tax payers were burdened with paying huge sums of money for more United Kingdom officers to conduct the investigation.
Could not be independent with Morris
The investigation, named Operation Lucan, began on November 10, 2014, with the team reporting directly to the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
After pressure from this news site, the RVIPF, especially those who were directly being investigated, residents territory-wide, and civil society who have wide reaching mistrust of David Morris, he surrendered to good governance and agreed to a truly independent investigation.
New Cayman Islands Top Cop
It was announced Friday in a press release that Commissioner of Police Mr David Baines of Royal Cayman Islands Police Service was appointed as Gold Commander of Operation Lucan effective February 11, 2015 and is now tasked with ensuring there is no conflict of interest and that the integrity of the investigation is maintained.
According to the Police press release, “to facilitate the ongoing investigation and to allow for a completely independent inquiry avoiding any influences within the RVIPF, Commissioner Morris has now further requested that the Governor and the National Security Council provide a change in the command structure and appoint an independent Gold Commander to work with the Director of Public Prosecution to take strategic lead of the investigation”.
Morris’ integrity under fire; he must go!
Many Police Officers who spoke to us after the announcement are now saying that they have no confidence in Morris for was it not for the media report by this news site he would have allegedly been there interfering in what was told to the public to be an independent investigation.
In effect, the press release was “admitting that it was not truly independent,” one senior officer said in a conversation.
Morris, who commands a force of 98% black officers, has been under fire since he came to the Virgin Islands from the UK as Deputy Commissioner of Police and was promoted to Commissioner over other qualified locals and regional nationals.
Under his tenure crime is up especially gun crime, the RVIPF is divided and he is accused of racism, giving special privilege to UK officers as well as allegedly victimising police officers who oppose his style of management.
Many residents and police officers of all ranks cannot wait for his contract to end this year as his critics, most of whom are police officers, have claimed that he has brought nothing to a police force where morale is low, and there is a lack of respect for his judgments and decisions.
Adding to his poor leadership of the RVIPF is a long list of court cases against Mr Morris brought by police officers and citizens for poor police procedures that violate their rights and the constitution.
See link to previous story first published by this news site on David Morris' perceived interference in what was supposed to be an independent investigation:
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19 Responses to “David Morris caves to mounting pressure for transparent investigation!”
I do hope that this was not an attempt to coverup for another officer (COP DM). It was not a surprise that this was happening as they usually cover their bro in blu well at least those from the EU. The cr....d and un....rable DM spoke of he can see as one of those in the line. It the first instance HE and his Dept refuse to cause an investigation. When petition was sent to Gov Duncan COP and his Dept instituted a rigemen of reprimand on the officers without a trial or necessary investigation. Why should he be head honcho on such a vital investigation? Now the whole thing tainted, tarnished and seem an exercise in gaming the BVI for a bit more pennies.
to head a vital instituation and invetigations
This really smells like Tempura all over again.
Piece of advice, stop the sham before it gets to be over 10 million dollars. All the so called investigations are geared to do is destroy the financial reputation of the overseas territories in order that the Mother Country can get her taxes. Stand up for your country before it's too late.